"In 60 to 90 days from now we will reassess the conditions that exist and make a decision on whether we should draw down our troop strength or sustain what we have," Sanchez told journalists in Baghdad.

He denied press reports that top civil administrator Paul Bremer had asked Washington to send more troops to Iraq, where forces are faced with daily attacks targeting military installations and routine US patrols.

"It is clear in my mind that the force levels that we have are adequate to accomplish the mission and the challenges that I perceive," he said.

He denied point blank the report that Bremer had asked for reinforcements, amid concern that troops on the ground are overstretched and with attacks by suspected Saddam Hussein loyalists claiming daily US casualties.

"We have sufficient forces in here to to accomplish the tasks that I see lying ahead over the next 60 to 90 days. I have well in excess of 150,000 soldiers. I don't need any more forces," he said.

The three-star general said that the average of 13 attacks on US units every day did not prevent his troops carrying out their mission to ensure security in the country -- something that many claim they have still failed to do.

"We're prepared to take on any attack that these people are willing to throw at us. We're out there conducting offensive missions every day," he said.

Ten US soldiers were wounded in Iraq on Thursday alone, in three separate incidents including two suspected rocket-propelled grenade attacks and a shooting.

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