Al-Qaeda remains a dangerous force in Iraq despite a general decline in violence and US troops must continue to confront the militant group, the outgoing top US general in the country said.
In the interview, scheduled for broadcast later on Friday, Gen David Petraeus was asked whether al-Qaeda had been defeated in Iraq.
"You will not find any military leader who will say this . . . all we can say is al-Qaeda is still dangerous," he said.
"It is certain more of these crimes will be committed, and we must continue working to confront these attacks," he said.
Gen Petraeus also told al Arabiya television he believed recent success in reducing violence had restored the United States' image with Iraqis.
Troops initially greeted as liberators but later viewed as occupiers were now again accepted as friends.
The general and designated successor Lieut-Gen Raymond Odierno are credited with implementing a military strategy that helped reduce violence in Iraq, which slid towards sectarian civil war after the bombing of a revered mosque in early 2006.
Pentagon sources said this week that Gen Petraeus had recommended the United States move slowly to draw down troops in Iraq, removing one combat brigade early next year.
Reuters