Australia Howard says committed to Iraq troop level

SYDNEY, Sept 5 (Reuters) Australian Prime Minister John Howard today said Australia maintained its troop levels commitment to Iraq for as long as necessary to guarantee security.

"Our commitmwent to Iraq remains and Australian forces will remain at their present levels in Iraq, not based on any calendar but based on conditions on the ground," Howard told a joint news conference with US President George Bush ahead of the Asia-Pacific summit.

"Until we are satisfied that a further contribution to ensuring that the Iraqis can look after themselves cannot usefully be made by the Australian forces they will not be reduced or withdrawn." Bush today said he saw signs that Iraq was taking steps on political reconciliation, despite some pessimistic assessments about progress on bringing together the country's warring factions.

REUTERS PBB KP0739