Iraq calls US pullback from cities 'big victory'

Baghdad: Iraq's prime minister said the withdrawal of US troops from urban areas by the end of this month will be a "big victory" for the nation.

Nouri Al Maliki said militants will try to stage more attacks but Iraqi security forces won't let them reverse security gains.

A US-Iraqi security pact requires the Americans to pull back combat troops from cities by June 30 as a first step toward a full withdrawal by 2012. The deal includes a provision for the Iraqi government to ask for US help if violence surges.

But Al Maliki said any extension would show a lack of confidence and be a "historic setback."

He said, "we will not retreat no matter what happens."

Al Maliki spoke on Saturday to members of the Turkomen ethnic minority.