Tokyo, Nov. 25 (AP): Iraq's Foreign Minister urged Japan today to extend its soon-to expire troop dispatch in support of US-led reconstruction efforts, saying pulling out the troops now would send "the wrong message" to insurgents.

"Because of the sensitivity of the timing and the critical stage we are going through, it is very important for this force to remain committed," Hohshyar Zebari, told reporters in Tokyo. "Any premature withdrawal will send the wrong message."

Japan has deployed about 600 non-combat troops to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah to purify water and rebuild schools. The mission expires December 14, but Tokyo hasn't decided whether to renew it.

Zebari, on an international tour with stops in Russia and France, asked for Japan's continued troop support in separate meetings today with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and Defence Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga.

Nukaga said Japan is "proud" of the work its forces have done but gave no commitment on an extension, while Zebari said Koizumi gave a "clear commitment" to continue support for the democratization process in Iraq.

The Japanese Government has repeatedly said it is waiting to assess the security situation in Iraq before deciding.

The deployment, Japan's largest overseas mission since World War II, is deeply unpopular with the public. Many Japanese have criticized the deployment as being a violation of the country's pacifist constitution and say it has made Japan a target for terrorism.