Rumsfeld on farewell trip to Iraq to thank troops

Washington, Dec 10: Outgoing US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has made a trip to Iraq to offer his appreciation to the troops serving there, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Rumsfeld's secret visit, first reported by ABC News, was his 13th unannounced visit to the country. It came one day after he gave a farewell address at the Pentagon and nine days before he is replaced by Robert Gates.

''The trip is taking place,'' said the Defense Department spokesman, Lt. Col Todd Vician.

He said the purpose of Rumsfeld's visit ''was to express his appreciation for what the troops are doing and to thank them and their families for the sacrifices they make on behalf of all Americans.'' Vician gave no other details of the trip, but added, ''As far as I know, he's still there.'' Rumsfeld, who became a lightning rod for world criticism of the Iraq war, announced his resignation in November, the day after Republicans lost control of both Houses of the US Congress amid voter unhappiness with the war.

Earlier on Saturday, President George W Bush called on Democrats and Republicans to work together on a new strategy for the war in Iraq after a high-level group said the administration's current approach was not working.

Bush is under pressure for a shift in strategy in the unpopular war, with sectarian violence rising and a growing number of Americans unhappy with his handling of the conflict.

Reuters