Iraq PM unfazed by Democrat vows to cut U.S. troops

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in an interview aired on Monday he was unfazed by pledges by Democratic candidates in the U.S. presidential race to withdraw troops quickly from Iraq.

Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have promised to begin withdrawing troops soon after taking office. Obama promises to start immediately, and Clinton has said a drawback could begin within 60 days of her becoming president.

"No, I am not concerned at all," Maliki told U.S. network CNN in an interview when asked if he was worried Obama might reduce U.S. troop numbers very quickly if he won office.

"I believe our troops are very strong and God willing, this year we will have the rest of our capabilities," he added, referring to plans for further increases in the size of Iraq's security forces, which already exceed 500,000 personnel.

Maliki's comments were aired a day before the U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, testifies to Congress on progress in Iraq. He is expected to recommend a pause in troop withdrawals once an initial cut of around 20,000 soldiers is finished in July. That would leave 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.

But Petraeus may face tough questions about the ability of Iraq's security forces, especially after they met heavy resistance from the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr during a crackdown in the city of Basra last month.

Around 1,000 soldiers deserted during battle, Iraq's defense ministry has said.

Maliki, repeating previous government comments, said he believed U.S. forces could draw down.

"The more Iraqi security forces move forward, the more U.S. forces move back until all security responsibilities are handed over and the coalition forces remain in a support role. In a support role, you don't need such big numbers," he said.