BAGHDAD, June 21: US troops may start withdrawing from Iraq in March next year, a US general said on Tuesday. As many as four or five US military brigades (up to 20,000 people) could leave then if the country’s ethnic groups can agree on a constitution and elect a government that has broad support, Lt Gen John Vines said in Washington via video link from Iraq.

“I suspect we will probably draw down capability after the election, because Iraqi security forces are more capable,” Gen Vines said. He was referring to elections at the end of this year set to follow hoped-for approval of a new constitution in the autumn.

The number-two US commander in Iraq predicted that the insurgency would dwindle rapidly if the political process were successful, but said any drawdown would depend on conditions on the ground.

In Britain, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told lawmakers the US-led forces did not have an ‘open-ended’ commitment to staying in the country.

But when asked for reassurance that progress was being made in Iraq Straw said: “Violence is at an unacceptable level, higher than was anticipated.”

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Iraq would not be surprised and would understand if the United States begins to start withdrawing troops next year.

“I would not be surprised ... If there would be some withdrawal, let’s say early 2006, I think it would be understandable,” he said, speaking from Brussels.

“The more our forces assume responsibility, the less role the multinational force will have in Iraq,” he said.

The first indications that US-led forces are thinking about ways to leave the country came as Zalmay Khalilzad, the new US ambassador, vowed to work with Iraqis to crush its tenacious insurgents.—AFP