SWEDEN TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM BOSNIA BY APRIL 20,2008

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 26,2007) – Sweden is to withdraw its peacekeepers from Bosnia next year, the country's military has announced.

The 24-strong Swedish unit is in Bosnia as part of the EU's elite EUFOR force. They will have withdrawn from Bosnia no later than 20th April,2008.

Lieutenant Colonel Mikael Smedin said the withdrawal was a "political decision." He added that Bosnia still requires the presence of international troops, but in smaller numbers.

"The situation in Bosnia is relatively stable and secure now, and the need for military presence is not as great as it was before," he said.

More than 7,500 Swedes have participated in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia since 1993.