The Japanese government is considering postponing a decision on a basic plan to send Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq.  

The government may delay until next week at the earliest a cabinet decision to endorse the plan, Kyodo News quoted government sources as saying Monday.

Also, a plan on dispatch of civilians may be put on hold until the security situation gets better, said the sources.

It was earlier reported the plan was expected to be adopted at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

The delay came after two Japanese diplomats were killed in an ambush Saturday in northern Iraq.

Under a bill passed in July, Japan would send troops to Iraq for reconstruction. But terror groups have reportedly warned they will wage attacks on Japanese targets if Tokyo does so.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2003)