But Army General Tommy R Franks, who heads the US Central Command and enforces the southern no-fly zone, recommended reducing the number of patrols but maintaining a minimum number to check possible movements of Iraqi troops towards the Saudi and Kuwaiti borders.
On Wednesday, Greek conservative leader Antonis Samaras was sworn in as prime minister at the head of a pro-austerity government, reducing the chances for a Greek exit from the euro zone.