Generals from more than a dozen countries met in London today to draw up plans for an international military stabilisation force for Iraq
"It's basically bringing together those who are already on the ground with those who have considered offering to participate," a British Defence Ministry spokesman said.
He said "14 or 15" countries were participating in the meetings, but declined to name them, saying some had yet to go public with their willingness to participate.
However, a separate British military source said they included Spain, the Czech Republic and Germany, as well as the United States, Britain, Australia and Poland - which already have troops in Iraq, and "quite a few others".
Polish officials have said they may send 4,000 troops and a general to oversee the force in one of the sectors of Iraq, meaning Warsaw is likely to be the third-biggest contributor of forces behind London and Washington.
Germany's participation, if confirmed, would be notable because of Berlin's strong opposition to the war in Iraq.
Washington now has five divisions of troops in Iraq and Britain has one, but US officials have indicated they plan to draw down their forces in the coming months and shift the burden onto a "coalition of the willing".