Some 455 Spanish soldiers left the northwestern Galician town of Santiago de Compostela Saturday on a Hercules plane to serve in a multinational force in post-war Iraq.

The troops are advance units of a 1,300-strong Spanish contingent.

The Spaniards, who will be at Polish command, will be deployed in Iraq's southern cities of Qadisiyah and Najaf.

They are to be joined by 1,100 troops from Central American states and are expected to serve for six months.

Last Wednesday, two Spanish navy vessels left the southern naval base of Rota for the southern port of Almeria, where materiel will be loaded before the ships departure for the Gulf.

Spain was a key ally of the United States and Britain in the Iraq war. Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is under fire for his pro-war attitude and his decision to send troops to Iraq. 

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2003)