Bulgaria discussed with the US a possible extension of the Bulgarian mission to Iraq in 2007, Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov said.

Currently Bulgarian troops take care of the Ashraf refugee camp in Iraq.

The United Nations Security Council already decided to extend the mission of the coalition forces in Iraq.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin's are currently on a visit to Iraq. The visit could contribute to the relations between Bulgaria and Iraq, Bliznakov said. Still, any decision on the extension of the Bulgarian mission was improbable during Stanishev's visit.

Stanishev would meet Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, prime minister Nuri al Maliki and parliament speaker Mahmoud al Mashhadani, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) said.

The political situation in Iraq, security and stabilisation would feature among the topics of discussion.