Canberra, Oct 20 (IANS/EFE): Australia has finalised a deal with Iraq to send 200 special force troops to the war-torn country to assist in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) militants, officials said Monday.

"I have finalised an agreement for a legal framework to enable our special forces to be deployed here," Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said following a two-day visit to Baghdad.

Bishop met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, President Fuad Masum and Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and other officials during her visit which ended Sunday.

Last month, Australia sent six Super Hornet fighters, a Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, a KC-30 refueller and a contingent of forces to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for possible deployment to Iraq.

While the aircraft have already gone into action against the IS and killed several militants, the pre-deployed soldiers were awaiting the finalisation of the agreement announced Monday.