The top US commander in Iraq said on Saturday that some US may remain in Iraqi cities after next June, even though a pact calls for their withdrawal.

General David Petraeus is to oversee all US forces in the Middle East as his deputy steps up to lead Iraq troops.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew into Baghdad on Monday, preparing to hand command of the war in Iraq to a new general.

At least 887 Iraqis were killed in Iraq in October, ministry data showed on Thursday, slightly higher than September, which saw a total of 840 people killed across the nation.…