BAGHDAD — The number of attacks in Iraq has dropped to the lowest level since 2003 despite a recent spate of high-profile bombings, the No. 2 U.S. commander said today.

Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin blamed several attacks over the past few days on al-Qaida in Iraq and warned insurgents would continue to try to chip away at growing public confidence in security gains.

The commander credited part of the drop in violence to an increase in the number of Iraqi security forces on the streets as well as the arrest of a number of key al-Qaida figures in recent months.

"November saw fewer attacks than any month since 2003," Austin said at a news conference in the U.S.-protected Green Zone. "We have significantly degraded al-Qaida's ability to plan, to resource and to capitalize on ruthless attacks on the Iraqi people."

He also expressed confidence that the transition to increased Iraqi oversight in U.S. military operations would be smooth under a new security pact that was approved last week by the Iraqi parliament.

Iraq's three-member presidential council still must approve the agreement, which will allow American forces to stay in the country for three more years after a U.N. mandate expires on Dec. 31.

An official with the council led by President Jalal Talabani said the pact had been received on Monday and would be considered valid if no objections are registered within 10 days.

Proponents of the deal have warned Iraqis aren't ready to take over their own security while opponents, led by the Sadrists, say the American presence is the main reason for the instability plaguing the country.