In the run-up to the US presidential election, the Iraq war has become a major debate topic.

The Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both pledged to withdraw US troops at a rate of one or two brigades a month. But analysts believe their words were just words.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has secured his candidacy in the Republican camp, visited Baghdad on March 16-17.

McCain stressed it was important to maintain the US commitment in Iraq, where a US-Iraq military operation is underway to clear al-Qaida from its last urban stronghold of Mosul, 360 km northwest of Baghdad.

McCain said during campaigning in the United States last week that the quickest way to bring the war to an end was by continuing the troop surge.

"I believe the American people will have the patience to see this through," McCain said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)