A broad parliamentary majority Thursday approved extending the Danish troop contingent's stay in Iraq until July 1, according to Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa). However, during the second reading of the government's bill two major opposition parties said they would not back a further extension, urging the government to develop an exit strategy for the 530-strong contingent. The Social Liberals also said they would not support a decision to extend the troop mandate beyond July 1. The government has said it would not set a deadline, saying that the government in May planned to present a report on the military and political situation in Iraq. During the first reading a week ago, Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller said "we shall finish the job and not leave prematurely."
