Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino reiterated Thursday that his country will withdraw 1,000 troops from Iraq by June, but the pullout has nothing to do with the general elections in April.

Martino told a parliamentary committee that Italy aims to end its military presence and finish its mission in Iraq by the end of this year. He did not rule out the possibility that Italian forces will be sent to Iraq to shoulder civilian tasks for post-war reconstruction there.

Italy has reduced its military presence from 3,200 to 2,900 since last September. The government will cut it further to 2,600 by the end of this month, Martino said.

The major tasks of Italian troops now are to train Iraqi policemen and military forces, the official said.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said the Bush administration was "well aware of the steps that Italy is taking about."

"Italy is doing this all in close consultation with coalition forces," McClellan said.

Despite domestic opposition, the Italian government sent 3,200 troops to Iraq after the war there ended in 2003. The number ranks 4th largest after those of the United States, Britain and South Korea.

Source: Xinhua