Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi suggested Monday that Japan would extend the humanitarian mission in Iraq after it expires next Wednesday.

Koizumi made the suggestion at his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jafari who is on a two-day tour here.

Responding to Jafari's request for continued assistance, Koizumi said he would give full consideration before making decision, according to Kyodo News.

The Japanese government is expected to decide this week on whether the troops of about 600 will pull out on time.

The mission kicked off in December 2003 for one year and was extended for another year.

Japan's Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nakaga paid a surprise visit Saturday to the GSDF troops in southern Iraq. He briefed Koizumi early Monday that the security situation there was stable and that the Iraqis wanted the Japanese force to stay longer.

In the meeting with Koizumi, Jafari said the troops are appreciated and needed by the Iraqi people, according to Kyodo.

In addition to the troops' deployment, the Iraqi prime minister also thanked Koizumi for Japan's official development assistance and debt relief, and called for Japan to continue such monetary assistance.

Prior to Jafari's tour, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari also visited Tokyo in late November and signed with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso a document which exempts Iraq from paying back 80 percent of the US$7.6 billion debts it owes to Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)