The United States said on Friday that it appreciates Bulgaria's help in Iraq even though Bulgaria is preparing to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey told a press briefing that the United States has been very happy and pleased that Bulgaria has been a strong supporter of US operations in Iraq, adding "They've been a strong member of the multinational force and the coalition."

"And I'm sure we will look forward to continuing cooperation with them as we move forward in the reconstruction of Iraq," he said.

The Bulgarian parliament approved on Thursday the government's plan to pull all its troops out of Iraq by the end of the year.

Bulgaria has now lost 10 soldiers in Iraq. It has about 500 soldiers in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua