WASHINGTON, Nov 6: The United States on Thursday unveiled plans to reduce its force in Iraq next year to about 105,000, with more than half of replacement troops to be drawn from the national guard and reserves.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said 85,000 combat troops had received deployment orders and notifications were going out to 43,000 guard and reserve troops alerting them to prepare to serve in Iraq in place of those already there.

The United States currently has about 132,000 troops in Iraq.

When the rotation is completed, the Pentagon will have swapped four army divisions and 17 brigades with three divisions and 13 brigades, he said.

“It’s important to recognize that numbers do not necessarily equate with capability,” Mr Rumsfeld said.

“We’re bringing in forces that are appropriate to deal with the evolving threats in Iraq today, including more mobile infantry elements.”

“So while the number of US forces may be level or decline slightly, this much is certain: The overall capability of the security forces in Iraq will increase,” he said.—AFP