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| US defence chief arrives in Iraq | US defence chief arrives in Iraq |
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| US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in the Iraqi city of Basra, on a previously unannounced visit. | US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in the Iraqi city of Basra, on a previously unannounced visit. |
| Mr Gates was met by the top US commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey. He will also hold talks with other senior US and coalition commanders there. | Mr Gates was met by the top US commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey. He will also hold talks with other senior US and coalition commanders there. |
| It is his second visit to Iraq since he succeeded Donald Rumsfeld in December. | It is his second visit to Iraq since he succeeded Donald Rumsfeld in December. |
| The Bush administration recently unveiled a new strategy for dealing with the conflict in Iraq, including sending more than 20,000 extra troops. | The Bush administration recently unveiled a new strategy for dealing with the conflict in Iraq, including sending more than 20,000 extra troops. |
| Most of the additional forces will be sent to Baghdad as part of a US-led drive to bring security to the city. | |
| His visit comes amid increasing US pressure on Iraq's government to crack down on insurgents. | |
| On Thursday Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki appealed to the US to give Iraqi forces more weapons and equipment. | |
| About 7,000 UK troops are stationed in Basra. The UK government has said it hopes to transfer Basra's security to Iraqi forces early this year. |