U.S. President George W. Bush, after hearing from U.S. and Iraqi leaders, said in Baghdad on Sept. 3 some American forces could be sent home if security in Iraq continues to improve as it has in Anbar Province, a former hotbed of Sunni insurgency.

But Bush did not say how many troops could be withdrawn or how soon.

Despite intense pressure at home for cutbacks, Bush said decisions about troop levels "will be based on a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground — not poll results in the media."

Bush stopped in Iraq ahead of his visit to Australia for an economic summit with Asia-Pacific leaders. The trip was a closely held secret for obvious security reasons.