Adam Ereli, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said it was a good thing that Poland is "there for the long haul."
The Polish cabinet decided on 27 December to keep troops in Iraq until the end of 2006, though their numbers will be reduced.
The move, which must still be approved by the president, reversed a decision by the previous government to bring troops home within the next few weeks.
(Reuters/AP/AFP)