US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld urged Iraqis to finish drafting a new constitution without delay as he arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit on Wednesday.

"We don't want any delays," Rumsfeld told reporters on the flight to Iraq from Tajikistan. "Now's the time to get on with it."

The constitution drafters can call a six month extension on Aug. 1 if they can not complete the charter before an Aug. 15 deadline. However, the constitution committee chairman Humam Hamoudi has said the draft will be finished on time.

Rumsfeld will hold talks with Iraqi leaders and US commanders during his stay.

Source: Xinhua