U.S. defense chief Gates visits Iraq

BAGHDAD, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was in Iraq Saturday on an unannounced visit, where he is expected to meet with senior commanders, officials said.

Gates arrived at Balad airbase in Iraq and was set to discuss the draw down of U.S. troops negotiated in a newly signed status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government, the Voice of America reported.

The SOFA pact calls for U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and from the country entirely by 2011. The SOFA also gives Iraq strict oversight over some 150,000 U.S. forces in the country, VOA said.