  The XMM-Newton Survey Science Center is currently conducting an optical
identification programme of serendipitous EPIC sources at low galactic
latitudes. The aim of this study is to quantify the various populations
contributing to the overall X-ray emission of the Galaxy and elaborate
identification rules that can be later applied to the bulk of the low galactic
latitude EPIC detections. We report here on preliminary results from an optical
campaign performed in two very low b XMM-Newton fields and discuss the
contributions of the various X-ray populations. This paper is presented on
behalf of the Survey Science Center and of the AXIS collaboration.
