Baghdad - Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili said Friday that Iraq is prepared for any early withdrawal of the US troops.

His remark came after US President Barack Obama announced a withdrawal of most US combat troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010, sharply reducing the American presence but keeping in place thousands of soldiers to support and train Iraqi forces.

"We prepared ourselves for all possibilities, including an early withdrawal for the US troops before 2011," al-Waili said in a press statement.

"Thus, the Iraqi forces are ready to take control of the security file in the whole country," added al-Waili. US forces still control the Iraqi Capital of Baghdad and four other provinces.

There are presently more than 140,000 US troops in Iraq. Obama plans to keep 35,000 to 50,000 soldiers to help train and equip the Iraqis and participate in special counterterrorism missions. The pace of the withdrawal will be determined by the commanders on the ground.

All US forces must leave Iraq by the end of 2011 under the security agreement worked out by the Bush administration last year with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Obama said he intends to stand by that agreement and called on the Iraqi people to take control of their country.

The security agreement also requires US combat troops to pull out of all Iraqi cities by June.

Since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, 4,253 US soldiers have died, according to the Pentagon. (dpa)