Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed here on Tuesday support for the U.S. policy to keep troops in Iraq until that the government of the war- torn country can better defend itself.

"We believe that if the United States were to withdraw too quickly and inappropriately, the consequences would not only be disastrous for the Iraqi people, it could lead to neighboring countries being drawn in military conflict over Iraq and in Iraq," Downer told reporters after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"And, of course, the consequences for the struggle against terrorism internationally would be utterly disastrous," Downer added.

Australia, one of the first nations to commit forces to the U.S.- led Iraq war, is a staunch U.S. ally in the war on terrorism, with about 1,400 troops in and around Iraq.

Source: Xinhua