Petraeus recommends reducing forces by a brigade in December

WASHINGTON - General David Petraeus Monday recommended reducing US forces in Iraq by about 4,000 troops in December followed by a gradual reduction of forces to pre-surge levels by mid-July 2008.
Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, said the reduction in the force would be achieved by not replacing a combat brigade that is being redeployed.
Four other army brigades and two surge marine battalions would be pulled out in the first seven months of 2008 "until we reach the pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by mid-July 2008," he said.

Premature drawdown in Iraq would be "devastating" : Petraeus

US war commander General David Petraeus warned Monday a "premature" drawdown of US troops from Iraq would be "devastating."
"A premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences," Petraeus said at a crucial hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.