Oct. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki postponed a visit to Australia this week so he can focus on negotiations with the U.S. on a security accord establishing the status of American forces in Iraq.

Al-Maliki was due to arrive Oct. 22 for the first visit to Australia by an Iraqi leader, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in Canberra. No new date was given for his trip.

Rudd this year withdrew 550 combat soldiers from Iraq, meeting a pledge made to voters before last November's election. Australia still has 1,000 personnel in and around Iraq.

Iraq and the U.S. are negotiating a deal that would set the terms for the presence of U.S. troops after a United Nations mandate expires in December.

The two sides have agreed on ``aspirational'' timelines for the presence of U.S. forces and legal jurisdiction over American military personnel, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Oct. 17. The proposal is being reviewed by senior officials from both countries, Morrell said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gemma Daley in Canberra at gdaley@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 19, 2008 18:32 EDT