WASHINGTON (CNN)  -- A U.S. commander in Iraq said he believes it's not possible to withdraw troops from his region south and east of Baghdad by year's end as an influential senator called for a day earlier. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said his forces would lose the edge they have gained if troops were withdrawn. Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander of the Multi-National Division-Center, was asked to comment on Republican Sen. John Warner's recommendation that President Bush start withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by Christmas. Speaking to Pentagon reporters Friday via teleconference from Iraq, Lynch said, "Only when the Iraqi security forces come forward and say, 'OK, here I am, I'm trained and equipped, I'm ready, I'm the Iraqi army or I'm the Iraqi police,' can I turn those sanctuaries over, and that's not going to happen between now and Christmas."
@highlight
GOP Sen. John Warner asks President Bush to announce Iraq withdrawal plan
@highlight
Democratic leadership aide presses for Warner to vote for pullback
"The real question would be is @placeholder willing to vote to support a change of course and policy, and as of yesterday he ruled that out," the source said.