Maliki: U.S. troops not needed in Iraqi cities

BAGHDAD, May 10 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday told visiting Speaker of U.S. House of Representative Nancy Pelosi that the pullout of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities will not affect security in his country.

"The security has improved in Iraq, and we don't need big numbers of U.S. troops inside the cities," Maliki said in a statement after meeting with Pelosi who arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit earlier in the day.

"Our efforts are now focusing on developing intelligence service, and the responsible withdrawal (of U.S. troops) will not affect the security situation," Maliki said.

"With stability, we are seeking to develop the Iraqi economy, particularly in the oil industry field, as multinational companies have come to work and invest in this sector," Maliki added.

Pelosi's visit to Baghdad came as U.S. troops are to withdraw from Iraqi cities and towns by the end of June amid concerns of increasing violence that killed hundreds of Iraqis in recent months.

The U.S. troops' withdrawal from Iraqi urban areas is part of a security agreement signed between the United States and Iraq in November last year, which also made it clear that the U.S. troops would leave the country by the end of 2011.

Pelosi also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Ayad al-Samarrai and talked about enhancing bilateral relations under the strategic framework agreement signed last year between the two countries.

Pelosi has visited Iraq in January 2007 and in May 2008. She was a key Democrat critic of former President George W. Bush's war policy in Iraq.