SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – The only country in the Western Hemisphere besides the United States still fielding soldiers in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq (search) may extend its troop deployment beyond a scheduled return early next year, El Salvador's (search) president said Saturday.
"We're helping the Iraqi people, and if there is the need to prolong our presence, if the authorities need it and we can help, I would not have a problem," President Tony Saca (search) said.
A decision will be made after the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq, he said.
El Salvador is the only Western Hemisphere country with soldiers still aiding the United States in Iraq. Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic withdrew their troops.
Salvadoran forces have been in Iraq since August 2003, with 380 troops currently serving there. The contingent is scheduled to come home in February after a six-month tour.
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