US general sees no troop cut in Iraq before spring

WASHINGTON, Sep 19 (Reuters) The general who oversees the Iraq war today said he did not expect any reductions in the size of the U S force until at least the end of spring 2007, as American troops try to prevent Iraq from falling into civil war.

Army Gen John Abizaid, head of U S Central Command, said he had expected U S troop levels to be lower than the current 147,000 -- the highest in Iraq since early January.

''I think that this level will probably have to be sustained through the spring, and then we'll reevaluate,'' Abizaid told reporters.

''I think these are prudent force levels. I think they're achieving the military effect,'' Abizaid said, without ruling out the possibility of even more troops.

REUTERS DKA BS1912