Monday, June 12 2006 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The top US military commander in Iraq, General George Casey, has indicated the possibility of a gradual reduction of American troops from Iraq once the national unity Government becomes capable of quelling violence across the country.

During a talk show yesterday, Gen Casey expressed confidence that a growing number of Iraqi army units were capable of leading the fight against the continuing insurgency in that country with logistical backing of the United States. The expectation is that all of the Iraqi Army units will have the capability by the end of the year.

"As long as the Iraqi security forces continue to progress and as long as this national unity government continues to operate that way and move the country forward, I think we're to be able to see continued gradual reduction of coalition forces over the coming months and into next year," Gen Casey said on 'Face the Nation.'

On more than one occasion Gen Casey was asked what his recommendations will be to President Bush on troop level. The military commander refused to answer the query but indicated that he might not ask Bush for more troops.

Gen Casey did not rule out sending more troops to help secure Baghdad as well as to reduce sectarian violence and lawlessness.

At one time there was the thinking that perhaps American force levels--now around 131,000 could be pared down to about 100,000 by the end of the year but the worsening security situation and the accelerated insurgency forced a change in calculations.