Bush says US Iraq troop cuts possible with success

AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq, Sept 3 (Reuters) US President George W Bush said on Monday his top officials in Iraq had told him the present level of security in Iraq could be maintained with fewer forces if current successes continued.

Bush raised the prospect of a troop drawdown during a visit to a desert air base in the restive Anbar province in western Iraq, where he said violence had declined after local Sunni tribal leaders had turned against al Qaeda militants there.

Top US commander David Petraeus and ambassador Ryan Crocker will testify before the US Congress next week, giving a much anticipated assessment that could prompt changes in the Bush's administration's strategy in the unpopular war.

Bush has signalled that he wants to maintain a troop build-up in Baghdad and Anbar for now, though his latest comments indicated he may be open to some adjustments.

''General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker tell me if the kind of success we are seeing continues, it will be possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces,'' Bush said.

But he cautioned members of Congress not to ''jump to conclusions'' ahead of their report.

Bush also urged the Shi'ite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to ''follow up'' on what the president termed progress on the security front.

REUTERS PY VC2302