The Moldovan Engineer Contingent deployed to Iraq disarmed more than 30,000 explosive devices in just four months, the Ministry of Defence says. Lt Col Alexandru, chief of the contingent, was quoted by MoD as saying that in three weeks the Moldovan military engineers detected some 9,600 explosive devices in the assigned zone. The contingent is provided with logistic and technical support, as well as with explosives, by the American military. The Republic of Moldova has been taking part in post-conflict operations in Iraq since 2003. This is the fifth contingent to be deployed to Iraq. Its mandate will expire in December 2007.