Rumsfeld makes surprise Iraq visit

BAGHDAD, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Baghdad Monday on a surprise visit to members of Iraq's new Civil Defense Corps.

Rumsfeld, on his fourth trip to Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion last year, told the new Iraqi fighters he was pleased with their development and skills, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

He also heard from U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey that by May 15 about 12,000 Iraqi law-enforcement officers will replace U.S. troops in Baghdad, whose numbers will be reduced to 24,000.

Sunday, members of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council said a formal agreement on maintaining foreign troops in Iraq beyond June 30 should be negotiated with the next sovereign government.

Rumsfeld's unannounced visit was seen linked to "Operation Iraq Freedom 2," under which Washington will deploy 130,000 fresh troops to replace the existing forces in the largest troops' exchange to be undertaken in the history of the U.S. Army.

The United States faces formidable problems on both the security and political fronts just a few months before it is supposed to transfer power to the Iraqis, tentatively by June 30.