KIEV, Aug 2: Ukraine made another strong hint on Monday that it planned to reduce or withdraw its 1,600 troops from Iraq, although the immediate date for the decision remained unclear.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency that he planned to discuss the politically-charged issue with the former Soviet republic's security council in the coming weeks.

"Concerning Iraq, we need to make a decision to limit our contingent, and I will raise this question" during the meeting, Yanukovich was quoted as saying. His comments were the latest in a series from Ukrainian officials who agree that their 1,600-plus contingent overseen by Polish troops and stationed in southern Iraq should be withdrawn soon.

Despite offering its troops for the US-led occupation, Ukraine still has strained relations with Washington, which is concerned by Kiev's human rights record and alleged black market arms sales. -AFP