U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is meeting with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad, Wednesday.
    
The focus of the talks will be on the future security of Iraq after American troops withdraw from the area.
    
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has asked for an extension of U.S. military commitment should more protection be needed.
    
Gates congratulated Iraqi security forces for the successful handover of control of Iraq's cities in June.

But he said there is still more milestones to be achieved before U.S. troops completely withdraw by 2012, which include fair and secure elections and the seating of a new national government.