WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The White House said on Thursday that it is concerned about reports saying that the US military in Iraq paid Iraqi newspapers to report pro-American stories.

    "We're very concerned about the reports. We have asked the Department of Defense for more information ... We want to see what those facts are," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a briefing.

    McClellan said that the Pentagon is already investigating the matter.

    The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that the US military has been paying the Iraqi press to run articles which US troops have written that focus on the positive aspects of the occupation and reconstruction.

    The United States has now some 150,000 troops in Iraq. Enditem