Howard commits more troops to Iraq 

An expanded commitment of Australian troops could be bound for Iraq in as little as two months.

Prime Minister John Howard on Monday indicated between 50 and 70 extra military instructors would be sent to train the Iraqi army and police to deal with growing sectarian violence.

Australia now has about 900 military personnel in Iraq, including about 30 Australian trainers.

Prime Minister John Howard late on Monday said he imagined the non-combat troops would go "some time in the next two, three or four months".

The length of their stay would depend on ongoing assessments, he said.

"I think training is an excellent way of us helping," Howard told journalists in Perth.

"Unless countries like Australia help the Iraqis to train up their armies and their police they will never be able to look after themselves."

Howard confirmed the commitment only hours after flagging the idea ahead of a visit later in the week by US Vice President Dick Cheney.

Cheney was expected to discuss ways Australia could increase its contribution in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Howard said the plan did not come at the United States' specific request.

The prime minister also would not rule out sending more combat troops to Iraq in the future, but said he did not expect a US request.