The US military is considering offering protection to foreign diplomats in Baghdad after al-Qaida agents killed three Arab envoys this month.

IRAQ'S transitional prime minister called yesterday for a speedy withdrawal of US troops as the top US commander said he believed a "fairly substantial" pullout could begin next spring and summer.

al-Qaida in Iraq claimed on the internet today that it has killed two Algerian diplomats kidnapped in Iraq, the second reported slayings of Arab envoys this month.

Iraq has asked the UN Security Council to condemn the recent spate of bombings and attacks.