WASHINGTON, Jan 4: President George Bush, anxious to show progress in Iraq to disenchanted Americans, said reducing US troops later this year may be possible.

He reiterated that any reduction would be based on the situation on the ground in Iraq and decisions by military commanders, not on a political timetable imposed by Washington, in a rejection of those Democrats demanding a phased pullout.

Mr Bush, speaking at the Pentagon, said a reduction of US troops already planned after the Iraqi election in mid-December was under way and would result in a net decrease of several thousand troops below the pre-election total of 138,000.

He said the decrease comes in addition to the reduction of about 20,000 troops who were in Iraq to assist with security during the Dec 15 elections.

“Later this year, if Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political side that we expect, we can discuss further possible adjustments with the leaders of a new government in Iraq,” Mr Bush said.

Mr Bush spoke after talks with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen Peter Pace, and commanders in Iraq who participated in a Pentagon briefing by video hookup.—Reuters