Rumsfeld makes surprise visit to Iraq

US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld made an unannounced visit to an air base north of Baghdad today, saying that the new Iraqi government was not yet ready to decide on security issues that would determine the pace of American troop reductions this year.

Speaking to reporters on a flight from Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said the Iraqis were embarked “on a comprehensive review” of their security requirements, as well an effort to reconcile Sunni and Shiite groups to broaden political support for the government.