Mullen: Troop total in Iraq to drop sharply

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of American troops in Iraq will fall to 30,000 by the end of this month as the U.S. winds down the war, the top U.S military officer said Tuesday.

The reduction is about a one-third drop from the current number and would be the first big withdrawal this year.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, disclosed the troop numbers but provided no details. He declined to elaborate on the ongoing negotiation between Iraq and the U.S. over leaving a small force there after year's end.

Mullen spoke at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

There are about 44,500 U.S. troops in Iraq. When the U.S. officially ended its combat mission in Iraq on Sept. 1, 2010, it had about 50,000 troops. Under a 2008 agreement, all U.S. troops are to be out of Iraq by the end of this year.

Talks are under way with Iraq to consider leaving at least a few thousand U.S. troops in the country to help train Iraqi forces. Mullen said it is a difficult process, and there still have been no final decisions on troop levels beyond Dec. 31.

Asked about plans for the U.S. Embassy to hire 8,000 private security contractors to protect American personnel and buildings in Iraq if the military leaves, Panetta said that the issue is part of the negotiations.