Iraq's national security adviser has said the United States will never be allowed to have permanent military bases on its soil.

Mowaffaq al-Rubaie's comments came as Iraq formally asked the UN to renew the mandate of US-led forces for a year, saying the mandate would not be extended beyond 2008 and could be revoked sooner at Iraq's request.

Al-Rubaie acknowledged that the US was still needed for security, economic and political support.

"But I say one thing, permanent forces or bases in Iraq for any foreign forces is a red line that cannot be accepted by any nationalist Iraqi," he told Al Arabiya television.

About 160,000 US troops are in Iraq under a United Nations mandate enacted after the US-led invasion in 2003.

The US has repeatedly denied seeking permanent bases in Iraq or that the US deployment was open-ended.

But in November leaders of the two countries signed a deal setting the ground rules for “friendly” long-term ties.

Under the "declaration of principles" the two sides will determine how many US troops will remain in Iraq and the legal framework that will govern their presence in the country.

The US says Iraq has become less violent in recent months after additional troop deployment.

Washington plans to withdraw more than 20,000 troops by June next year.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraq's national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie

Al-Jazeera