U.S. commanders seek Iraq troop cut freeze

BAGHDAD, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Senior U.S. military commanders in Iraq said they want a one-month freeze in troop cuts this summer to benefit the next U.S. president.

They said such a pause would make it more likely the new administration would inherit as many troops in Iraq as there were before U.S. President George Bush announced a "surge" of forces a year ago, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is expected to call for the freeze when he testifies in April before the U.S. Congress.

U.S. troops number about 155,000 now with about 5,000 leaving every month. The proposed freeze would go into effect in July. At that time, troop levels reportedly would be about 130,000, the Post said.