WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denied on Thursday a report that he plans to retire.

    "I have no plans to retire," Rumsfeld replied when he was askedon Capitol Hill about a news report that White House officials expected him to leave early next year, soon after the Iraqi elections next week.

    He said that about four months after he took office as defense secretary in 2001, "those reports have been flying around."

    The New York Daily News reported that White House officials were telling associates that Rumsfeld, 73, was expected to quit soon after a new Iraqi government was formed after the elections scheduled for Dec. 15.

    The report said acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England was the top contender to replace Rumsfeld.

    Rumsfeld, the oldest to serve as defense secretary, was the youngest defense chief when he was appointed by former President Gerald Ford in 1975.

    He has been a target of criticism over the conduct of the Iraq war and the treatment of detainees in US military custody. Enditem