The US could start withdrawing some troops from Iraq early next year if Iraq's army continues to improve its combat capability, a new report prepared for Congress says, as cited by Bloomberg agency.

The study, produced by a commission headed by US military commanders, expresses guarded optimism that Iraq's 194,000-member military -- including the Army, special-forces commandos and border guards -- could be capable next year of operating with reduced U.S. assistance.

"It is long overdue that we cut the cords of dependence,'' Democrat Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said at a hearing today on the report. "I believe that is the thrust of the commission's recommendations."

The report by the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq is the most comprehensive US analysis to date of Iraq's military. It is one of several reports Congress ordered for presentation before the Bush administration offers its own assessment and Congress resumes its debate on Iraq.

Army General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker next week will give a report that many lawmakers have said will determine whether more Republicans join Democrats in demanding a timetable to withdraw the 164,000 American military personnel in the country.

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