US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has warned Iraq's new leaders today against political purges and cronyism that could spark "lack of confidence or corruption in government".
Mr Rumsfeld, on a surprise visit to Iraq, said the United States also opposed any move to delay the political schedule in Iraq, which includes drafting a new constitution by mid August and elections in December.
His ninth visit to Iraq since the March 2003 invasion came as the US military was expected to begin sharply cutting the number of troops in the country next year.
"The presence of [US] security forces is not going to be something that is going to go on forever," he told reporters on his military transport plane from Washington.
Mr Rumsfeld said he would meet new Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari and President Jalal Talabani in Baghdad.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
Despite the naming of moderate Islamist Mr Jaafari and Mr Talabani, a Kurd, to lead the new transitional government last week, political factions are jockeying for power.
Mr Rumsfeld said decisions such as government appointments in ministries should be for the good of Iraq and not based on party loyalties or retribution.
"It's important that the new government be attentive to the competence of the people in the ministries and that they avoid unnecessary turbulence," he told reporters.
"We have an opportunity to continue to make progress politically, economically . . . anything that would delay that or disrupt that as a result of turbulence, or lack of confidence or corruption in government, would be unfortunate."
The US Army is looking at slashing year-long tours in Iraq for soldiers to six months to relieve pressure on the stressed military and bolster troubled recruiting, as Iraqi security forces increasingly take responsibility for reducing insurgent violence.
There are about 140,000 US troops in Iraq, down from a top level of 150,000 in December to help provide security for January's parliamentary elections. That total is expected to go down to about 138,000 in coming weeks.
More than 1,540 US troops have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion, but the rate of those casualties has declined significantly since the election.