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Bush to make key speech on Iraq Bush to make key speech on Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
US President George W Bush is expected to back a limited withdrawal of troops in an address on his Iraq war strategy.US President George W Bush is expected to back a limited withdrawal of troops in an address on his Iraq war strategy.
The gradual pull-out would take troop numbers back to their level before Mr Bush ordered a build-up this year. The Democrats say more must be withdrawn.The gradual pull-out would take troop numbers back to their level before Mr Bush ordered a build-up this year. The Democrats say more must be withdrawn.
Mr Bush's televised speech is expected to follow the advice of US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, who gave a progress report to Congress this week.Mr Bush's televised speech is expected to follow the advice of US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, who gave a progress report to Congress this week.
It follows the news that a key Sunni ally of the US has been killed in Iraq.It follows the news that a key Sunni ally of the US has been killed in Iraq.
Abdul Sattar Abu Risha led what was known as the "Anbar Awakening", an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes that rose up against al-Qaeda in Iraq.Abdul Sattar Abu Risha led what was known as the "Anbar Awakening", an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes that rose up against al-Qaeda in Iraq.
He met and was endorsed by Mr Bush when the president visited US troops in Iraq last week. The White House has condemned his killing in a bomb attack.He met and was endorsed by Mr Bush when the president visited US troops in Iraq last week. The White House has condemned his killing in a bomb attack.
Correspondents say his death may undermine US efforts against al-Qaeda in Anbar province, or strengthen the tribes' resolve to maintain an alliance with the US and Iraqi government.Correspondents say his death may undermine US efforts against al-Qaeda in Anbar province, or strengthen the tribes' resolve to maintain an alliance with the US and Iraqi government.
'Premature''Premature'
In his primetime televised address, at 2100 local time (0200 BST), Mr Bush is expected to announce that he plans to reduce US troops by roughly 30,000 by next summer, if certain conditions are met. In his primetime televised address, at 2100 local time (0200 BST), Mr Bush was expected to announce that he plans to reduce US troops by roughly 30,000 by next summer, if certain conditions are met.
PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [1 MB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [50 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader herePETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [1 MB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [50 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The Pentagon said he would talk about pulling out five combat brigades, rather than a set number of troops. At a White House briefing ahead of the speech, senior officials said the aim is to reduce the US force from 20 combat brigades to 15 by the middle of next year.
"It's premature to put a figure, at least in terms of the number of individual troops coming out," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said, quoted by the Associated Press agency. The idea is to hand responsibilities for maintaining security over to Iraqi forces.
"That is because there are support troops... the general [Petraeus] has not yet decided how many of those he will still need as he takes out those five combat brigades." Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said it was "premature to put a figure" on the number of troops that would be leaving.
The move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq down from a current high of more than 160,000 to "pre-surge" levels, with about 130,000 still deployed in Iraq. "That is because there are support troops... the general [Petraeus] has not yet decided how many of those he will still need as he takes out those five combat brigades," he told the Associated Press.
But it is expected the move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq down from a current high of more than 160,000, to "pre-surge" levels, about 130,000.
Observers point out that the surge would have had to come to an end next spring anyway, in order to avoid overstretching the military.Observers point out that the surge would have had to come to an end next spring anyway, in order to avoid overstretching the military.
'Open-ended''Open-ended'
Senior Democrats have said the proposed reductions in US troop numbers are "insufficient" and do not represent a change in course.Senior Democrats have said the proposed reductions in US troop numbers are "insufficient" and do not represent a change in course.
Top Democrats say they will try to pass new legislation on IraqTop Democrats say they will try to pass new legislation on Iraq
Senator Jack Reed is expected to give the party's response shortly after Mr Bush's address.Senator Jack Reed is expected to give the party's response shortly after Mr Bush's address.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has accused the president of effectively signing-off on an "open-ended" commitment that could keep US troops in Iraq for 10 years.House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has accused the president of effectively signing-off on an "open-ended" commitment that could keep US troops in Iraq for 10 years.
Senator Carl Levin, Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it appeared that President Bush was prepared to "stay the course indefinitely".Senator Carl Levin, Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it appeared that President Bush was prepared to "stay the course indefinitely".
The Democrats say they plan to put forward a series of amendments intended to limit the mission of US forces in Iraq as legislation is debated in Congress next week.The Democrats say they plan to put forward a series of amendments intended to limit the mission of US forces in Iraq as legislation is debated in Congress next week.
The Democrats have so far been unable to pass legislation to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq because their majority in Congress is too slim to overturn a presidential veto.The Democrats have so far been unable to pass legislation to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq because their majority in Congress is too slim to overturn a presidential veto.
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.