WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Some of the additional 1,500 U.S. troops authorized to advise and train Iraqi forces for their fight against Islamic State militants will begin deploying to the country in the next few weeks, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said leading elements of the U.S. force would be moved to Iraq even before Congress authorizes new funding for the beefed-up mission there. But Kirby said the Pentagon still needed Congress to approve the additional money to execute the expanded effort. (Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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