Japan may delay the pullout of its ground troops from Iraq until as late as autumn because of the unsteady political situation in the country, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Sunday.

Aso made the remarks when asked in a local TV program if the Ground Self-Defense Forces will be pulled out of Iraq by September when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi steps down.

"The decision will be made (under the Koizumi administration) but the withdrawal may be delayed," the minister said.

Some 600 Japanese ground troops have been stationed in Samawah, southern Iraq for a non-combat reconstruction mission since early 2004. Recent reports said that the government planned to start withdrawing them in March.

Aso also indicated on the TV program that Japan's withdrawal would be in coordination with British and Australian forces located in southern Iraq, who have been providing protection to the Japanese troops.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2006)