"We have received a request but no decision has been taken yet," said the spokesman, adding that one was expected "in the next few weeks."

At the beginning of last month, Defence Minister Peter Struck said Germany would stop guarding US bases on its territory at the end of this year.

Some 2,500 German personnel guard around 100 US military facilities in Germany, and the Bundeswehr has been providing extra protection since January 2003, when it became clear that Washington was going to attack Iraq.

The US Army chief of staff said Tuesday that the United States will reduce the number of army divisions in Germany as part of a force redeployment that will free up troops for over-stretched combat units.

The army's 1st Armored Division and 1st Infantry Division are based in Germany, accounting for about half the 70,000 US troops in the country.

Washington had been considering withdrawing both divisions from Germany and replacing them with a light armored Stryker combat brigade, but the comment Tuesday was the first public confirmation by a senior US military official.

Earlier this year, Struck announced a sweeping reform of the armed forces that foresees 26 billion euros (32 billion dollars) in military spending cuts in the coming years.

WAR.WIRE