WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld made a secret farewell trip to Iraq, ABC News reported on Saturday.

Rumsfeld's trip, his 13th unannounced visit to the country, came one day after he gave a farewell address at the Pentagon and nine days before he is replaced by Robert Gates. CNN also confirmed the Iraq visit.

Pentagon officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rumsfeld, who became a lightning rod for world criticism over the Iraq war, announced his resignation in November, the day after Republicans lost control of both Houses of the U.S. Congress amid voter unhappiness with the war.

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