WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Defense Department announced Friday that 57,000 soldiers would deploy to Iraq and about 8,300 to Afghanistan early next year to replace those already serving in the two countries.

    These troops would replace service during the 2007 to 2009 timeframe, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

    The troops scheduled to deploy to Iraq involve about 20,000 soldiers assigned to an Army division headquarters and five Army combat brigades, as well some 27,000 active-duty and 10,000 reserve troops in smaller units, he said.

    There are about 141,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq at present.

    Despite calls for troops withdrawals from Iraq, U.S. military commanders have said American troops there should not be reduced.

    General John Abizaid, commander of the Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that U.S. troops in Iraq should not be reduced, and that he would not recommend troop withdrawals.