Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said today his government had stopped Iraq sliding into civil war and that violence in and around Baghdad had plunged under a US-backed security crackdown.
Mr Maliki was speaking to parliament hours before US officials were to deliver a vital progress report on Iraq that could influence future US strategy.
He said security gains had been made across Iraq but added his forces needed more time to take over full security responsibility from US-led foreign soldiers.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
President George W. Bush is under mounting pressure to withdraw some troops after more than four years of war that has killed more than 3,700 US soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis, as well as forced millions to flee their homes.
Mr Bush's top officials in Iraq - military commander Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker - will give their assessment later today to Congress on the president's decision to send 30,000 extra troops to Iraq.
Their testimony could be a turning point and is considered crucial to any move by Mr Bush on force levels as he faces demands from Democrats and some Republicans for US. troops to leave.
Mr Maliki, a Shia, defended his government in the face of
criticism from both Iraqi and US politicians. Some Democratic legislators in the United States have even called for him to be replaced.
"We succeeded in stopping Iraq from sliding toward civil war, which was threatening our beloved country," Mr Maliki said.
He said levels of violence had fallen by 75 per cent in Baghdad and surrounding areas since the start of the US troop "surge" in February. Mr Maliki also pledged his commitment to reconciling the country's majority Shia and Sunni Arabs.
"We are absolutely confident that national reconciliation is our only choice, which will take Iraq to safe shores," he added.
Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker are expected to say that a major pullout of forces would hurt progress made since troop levels were increased to 168,000. They will also highlight improved security but criticise the country's politicians for failing to pass laws seen as vital to healing deep sectarian divisions.
However, they are not expected to advocate any change in Iraq's leadership.