Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu said on Thursday that the country's troops in Iraq would withdraw, joining Italy and Japan in leaving U.S.-led reconstruction efforts in the Middle East state.

Defense Minister Teodor Atanasiu would now seek approval from the Supreme Council of National Defense to issue a pullout order, the premier said at a press conference.

Romania has around 890 troops in Iraq.

The withdrawal has been prompted by concerns over Romanian troops' safety and a growing trend by European states to bring home their soldiers, Tariceanu said.

Among Washington's European allies, Spain has withdrawn troops and Italy is on the move. Japan is also pulling out.

Two Romanian servicemen have been killed in Iraq since their deployment in 2001.

Atanasiu said the ending of the mission would save Romania 90 million U.S. dollars.

In addition to operations in Iraq, Romania has sent more than 700 troops to Afghanistan. Four soldiers have lost their lives there since 2003.

Source: Xinhua