Hungarian MPs voted overwhelmingly late Monday by 312 to two to give the government sole control in deciding NATO troop deployments, which before required the backing of a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Hungary, a NATO member since 1999, has met strong international criticism for its delays in approving military missions.

Most recently, MPs in October delayed permission for two Hungarian soldiers stationed in Portugal under NATO command to be transfered with their company to Afghanistan.

Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz said the delay "tarnished" Hungary's reputation, while NATO Secretary-General George Robertson repeatedly urged Hungary to reform its constitution and speed up troop deployments.

Last week, Hungary offered to incorporate a 400-member anti-terror battalion in the new NATO rapid reaction force, but the defense ministry said this could only happen once the constitution had been altered.

The constitutional change only applies to NATO troop deployments, while other military missions such as UN-led campaigns will still require a two-thirds approval in parliament.

Hungary has sent 300 troops, mostly logistics experts, to aid in the reconstruction of Iraq after the US-led war to topple Saddam Hussein.

That mission was only approved after months of parliamentary debate, but MPs recently agreed to extend the troops' mandate from six months until the end of 2004.

WAR.WIRE