AZNAR MAKES SURPRISE VISIT TO PEACE-KEEPING TROOPS

Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar paid a surprise four-hour-long visit to the Spanish troops in Iraq on Saturday, accompanied by a 17-member delegation which included Defence Minister Federico Trillo. In a Christmas message to the soldiers based in the southern town of Diwaniya, Mr Aznar said: "You are working for a world that is more free, more stable and more safe." He also said Spain would maintain a peace-keeping force in Iraq as long as was necessary and he passed on a message of support and encouragement from King Juan Carlos. Sr Aznar left after having lunch with about 500 of the 13,000-strong Spanish contingent. Last month, seven Spanish intelligence officers were killed in an ambush outside Baghdad, which brought total Spanish losses in Iraq to ten. Spain has been one of the staunchest allies of the US in the war in Iraq, despite domestic opposition.