Gates visits Iraq seeking 'military answers'

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates made an unannounced visit to Iraq today to assess the progress that has been made since the build-up of US forces began to take hold and reduce violence in some parts of the country.

Making his sixth trip to the country in a year, Mr Gates planned to talk to General David Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq, and also meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.