Washington: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today the "endgame" is now in sight in Iraq but warned of the costly consequences of withdrawing US forces too hastily.

"I fear that frustration over slow progress and dismay over sacrifices already made may result in decisions that are gratifying in the short term but very costly to us in the long term," he said.

Gates made the comments in a speech delivered to US special operations forces at their headquarters in Tampa, Florida in which he emphasized that they will be needed in Iraq and Afghanistan for a long time.

While he made no direct mention of calls by Democratic leaders for deep cuts in US forces next year under a new administration, Gates clearly had them in mind in cautioning against pulling out too quickly.

"We are now seeing what the end game in Iraq looks like -- with our forces drawing down over time, in a series of very complex battlefield rearrangements that slowly cede more responsibility for day-to-day security operations to the Iraqis," the prepared remarks said.

"It is a slow process -- slower than most would wish, myself included," he said. "But it is necessary if we are to get the endgame right."

The United States currently has about 155,000 troops in Iraq, but the number is supposed to fall to about 140,000 by July.

General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, has insisted that the draw down be halted at that point to see whether Iraqi security forces prove capable of taking up the slack.
Source : PTI