The Bulgarian troops which will guard Ashraf refugee camp in Iraq have received the needed certificate and are ready to start the mission.

The troops will travel to Iraq in the first half of April, Sega newspaper reported. Each soldier will be armed with a Kalashnikov and a Makarov pistol. Weapons will not be used inside the camp.

Bulgarian troops will receive vehicles and equipment from the US armed forces on the spot. Washington will also cover food and transportation costs.

Yesterday Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov said Bulgaria will benefit from the mission and the co-operation of Bulgarian armed forces with US troops in attempts to provide peace and security for Iraq.

Army chief of general staff Nikola Kolev will leave today for a three-day meeting of NATO representatives in Naples. The summit will raise issues of army co-operation, marine command and new missions.