Killings in Iraq declined slightly in July from the previous month according to new data, but the toll was still the second highest for the year.
Figures compiled by the ministries of health, interior and defence show 259 Iraqis - most of them civilians- died as a result of attacks last month.
US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen said on Saturday that the country is less safe than a year ago and that security is deteriorating.
Five American soldiers also died in July, four of them in ''hostile'' incidents.
There are approximately 47,000 US troops still in Iraq. Under the terms of a bilateral security pact, they are due to withdraw at the end of the year.
