BAGHDAD, April 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraqi President Jalal el-Talabani said Tuesday that foreign troops in Iraq not occupation, adding the occupation is over.

    Talabani made the remarks following a meeting with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day on a surprise visit.

    Talabani told the press that the existence of foreign troops in Iraq did not mean occupation, referring to the fact that the foreign troops inside Iraq represent several nations, including the United States, Britain, Italy, Japan and South Korea.

    The United States was an ally and a friendly country and not an occupier, he said, adding the US and Iraq maintain excellent ties.

    On his meeting with Rumsfeld, Talabani noted that the US official reiterated Washington's support for the political process in Iraq and the need to hold the elections as scheduled by the Iraqi state administration law.

    He said he asserted to Rumsfeld that the new Iraqi government would see the light as soon as possible, hopefully before the weekend.

    The Iraqi leadership would continue efforts to eradicate corruption and terror, Talabani said.

    Rumsfeld paid a surprise visit to Baghdad earlier on Tuesday to meet US military commanders and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and prime minister designate Ibrahim Jaafari.

    This was his ninth visit to Iraq since the beginning of Iraq War in March 2003. He last visited Iraq in February. Enditem