Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 09, 2004
Portugal's first group of soldiers return home from Iraq
The last 48 members of the first Republican National Guard (GNR) contingent deployed in Iraq returned Thursday to Portugal, military authorities said Thursday.
The last 48 members of the first Republican National Guard (GNR) contingent deployed in Iraq returned Thursday to Portugal, military authorities said Thursday.
The 48 soldiers, who were part of the contingent made up of 129soldiers and one doctor, returned home after they were replaced bya second group in Iraq.
GNR commander, Lt. Gen. Mourato Nunes, told the press that the recent armed clashes in Iraq were a setback in the relations with the local population and said Iraq's social unrest constituted a mayor difficulty for the Portuguese contingent there.