US general More US troops in Iraq not needed

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) The top US general in the West Asia today said he did not believe more US troops were needed in Iraq, where violence rages and has frustrated Pentagon efforts to start withdrawing its force.

''I believe that the troop levels need to stay where they are,'' said Army Gen John Abizaid in the military's first appearance on Capitol Hill since American voters, angered by Iraq, drove President George W Bush's Republicans out of power in the next Congress.

REUTERS SY VV2336