Two American troops were killed in Iraq, the U.S. military said Friday, bringing the number of US combat deaths to 179.
One soldier was killed in action on Thursday near the Iraqi town of al Hilla, some 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, said Spc. Margo Doers. The second, also on Thursday, was from the 1st Armored Division based in Baghdad.
As the death toll increases, the U.S. campaign to get more states to contribute troops to Iraq continues.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell launched the drive for a new U.N. resolution on Thursday, calling on member states "to do more" to help Iraq. U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said later that Washington wants the resolution to encourage countries to provide troops, money and help with police training, the AP reported.
France said that if the United States now wants countries to share the military burden of restoring peace to the country, it must share authority.
So far, France, Russia, India and Germany have ruled out sending soldiers to Iraq unless a multinational force is authorized by the United Nations. (Albawaba.com)
