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The deployment of more special forces advisers to Iraq is being considered as the Conservative government weighs its options to continue Canada’s contribution to the Iraq war.

Military officers say they fully expect the government to extend the Iraq mission. The expansion of the special forces training contribution makes the most sense, they added.

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What is unclear at this point is the impact of the recent friendly fire death of a Canadian special forces soldier on the government’s plans.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson said last week that Canada would be in Iraq for the long term, even though the government hasn’t officially announced an extension to the mission yet.

“Our mandate is until April 7, but we’ve indicated that Canada is not a country that stands on the sidelines, and we’re looking at ways that we have contributed and what is available for the future,” Nicholson told journalists after visiting Canadian special forces in northern Iraq and Iraqi government officials in Baghdad. “As I said, I indicated that we’re in this for the longer term to make sure that we do what we can to help.”