PM visit in Iraq positive, but more needed

A former chief of army says images of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visiting troops in Iraq are positive, but more work needs to be done in the region.

Speaking after Mr Turnbull's trip to the Middle East, Peter Leahy says there will be a huge task of rebuilding cities like Ramadi when military objectives are met.

"Some of the images we're seeing coming from the prime minister's trip are really positive, we're seeing and hearing good reports, but there's much more work to be done," he told ABC radio on Monday.