TALIL, Iraq, July 28, SPA -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived Tuesday in southern Iraq to get a firsthand look atthe future of the U.S. military mission in Iraq. Gates flew from Amman, Jordan, to a command post insouthern Iraq where U.S. troops are serving mainly asadvisers to Iraqi forces. The advisory unit in Talil is aprototype for U.S. forces as they shift from front-linecombat to support roles, the Associated Press reported. While in Iraq, Gates will be meeting with politicalleaders, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Lastweek, al-Maliki met in Washington with President BarackObama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State HillaryRodham Clinton and senior lawmakers. Gates is also expected to visit Iraq's Kurdishregion.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/688159