Report: Petraeus urges troop cuts in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus is recommending a reduction of nearly 8,000 U.S. troops in Iraq because of improved conditions, a military official said Friday.

President George W. Bush is considering Petraeus' recommendation, which the official told CNN Friday is for a reduction of "well over 7,500 personnel," and includes combat and support troops.

Petraeus, the top U.S. general in Iraq, presented his recommendation to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who then passed it and other recommendations to Bush, CNN said.

Some units would leave Iraq during the next five months as they complete their missions, the source said. The first possibly significant reduction without replacement would come early in 2009, freeing up a brigade to be rotated to Afghanistan rather than Iraq. Currently, 146,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq.

The White House declined to comment on the recommendation. Press secretary Dana Perino said Bush "received the assessment and recommendation from the Pentagon and he is considering his options."