US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld flew in Iraq's oil hub of Kirkuk early Saturday amid intensified confrontations between US troops and alleged insurgents loyal to Saddam Hussein's toppled regime.  

It was his third visit to the war-torn country after US-led coalition forces toppled former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in April.

Out of security consideration, Kirkuk instead of Baghdad, was chosen this time as Rumsfeld's first stop. Kirkuk is located about280 km north of the capital.

Rumsfeld's last two visits to Iraq were harried with gunfire assault and missile attack although both attempts were in vain.

After his arrival in light rain, the hawkish official immediately met US troops deployed in the area. He is due to travel to Baghdad to meet US civil administrator for Iraq Paul Bremer and other officials.

On Friday, one more US soldier was killed along with at least three Iraqis in a fresh bomb attack, underscoring the insecurity that prevailed the country eight months after the occupation.

Since US President George W. Bush declared the major fighting over on May 1, 190 US soldiers have been killed by hostile fire in Iraq.

About 80 American military servicemen died in November alone, making it the deadliest month for the coalition forces, which in turn launched more operations to crack down on the hit-and-run guerrillas.

Rumsfeld arrived in Iraq after visiting Afghanistan and Georgia.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2003)