U.S. commander urges patience on Iraq troop levels

By Randy Fabi

MUSSAYAB, Iraq (Reuters) - The United States could quickly lose its security gains in Iraq to insurgents if troops are sent home prematurely, a senior U.S. military commander said on Wednesday.

Major-General Rick Lynch, commander of U.S. forces south of Baghdad, said security remained fragile after widespread fighting last week between security forces and the Mehdi Army militia of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Lynch urged patience on U.S. troop levels, a major theme in the American presidential election campaign.

"Ninety-six hours after we leave a place the enemy will come right back. The gains we fought hard for could easily be lost," Lynch told Reuters.

Hundreds of people were killed and many more wounded in clashes last week between Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militiamen in southern Iraq and Baghdad.

"Last week has been a difficult week across the area," Lynch said while puffing on a cigar on a tour of Mussayab, a mainly Shi'ite town 60 km south of Baghdad.

The United States is expected to withdraw some 20,000 combat troops by July following overall falls in violence in Iraq. U.S. commanders say around 140,000 soldiers will remain.

Lynch, who is on his third deployment to Iraq, said the U.S. military would need to closely review the capability and strength of the Iraqi security forces before deciding on a further drawdown in troops.