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US 'open to Iran talks on Iraq' US 'open to Iran talks on Iraq'
(about 5 hours later)
The White House has indicated it will consider talking to Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq.The White House has indicated it will consider talking to Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq.
Chief-of-staff Josh Bolten told the ABC network that President George W Bush would look at all the options when he meets a panel of advisers on Monday.Chief-of-staff Josh Bolten told the ABC network that President George W Bush would look at all the options when he meets a panel of advisers on Monday.
The Iraq Study Group panel, due to give its recommendations by the end of the year, is believed to favour renewing contacts with Tehran and Damascus.The Iraq Study Group panel, due to give its recommendations by the end of the year, is believed to favour renewing contacts with Tehran and Damascus.
Senior Democrats have urged preparation for a phased pullout of US troops. In a speech on Monday, UK PM Tony Blair will call for them to be more involved.
Iraq was a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.Iraq was a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
Troop deaths Senior Democrats have urged the preparation for a phased pullout of US troops.
Blair's speech
Speaking on ABC's This Week programme, Mr Bolten - who as White House chief-of-staff is Mr Bush's closest aide - said "a fresh approach" was clearly needed on Iraq.Speaking on ABC's This Week programme, Mr Bolten - who as White House chief-of-staff is Mr Bush's closest aide - said "a fresh approach" was clearly needed on Iraq.
Josh Bolten said a fresh approach was needed in Iraq
Asked if he favoured the idea of including Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Syria, in discussions, Mr Bolten said all options would be considered.Asked if he favoured the idea of including Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Syria, in discussions, Mr Bolten said all options would be considered.
However, he dismissed calls for a fixed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. According to the office of Mr Blair, the UK prime minister will call for their greater involvement during a keynote speech in London's financial centre on Monday.
US military leaders, under Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Peter Pace, said on Friday they were preparing to recommend changes in strategy on Iraq. An aide said Mr Blair would "make clear to Syria and Iran the basis on which they can help the peaceful development of the Middle East rather than hinder it; and the consequences of not doing so".
Phased withdrawal
The Iraq Study group, the bipartisan US task force asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, is to meet Mr Bush at the White House on Monday.
Josh Bolten (r) said a fresh approach was needed in Iraq
The panel, which is led by former US Secretary of State James Baker, reportedly thinks that "staying the course" is an untenable long-term strategy.
It is said to have been looking at two options, both of which would amount to a reversal of the Bush administration's stance.
One is the phased withdrawal of US troops, and the other is to increase contact with Syria and Iran to help stop the fighting.
In his interview, Mr Bolten dismissed calls for a fixed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
The US military confirmed that three US soldiers had been killed in fighting in Iraq's Anbar province on Saturday.The US military confirmed that three US soldiers had been killed in fighting in Iraq's Anbar province on Saturday.
More than 2,800 US troops have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.More than 2,800 US troops have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.
Meanwhile four British servicemen have been killed following a bomb attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq.Meanwhile four British servicemen have been killed following a bomb attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq.
Another three suffered serious injuries in the incident, which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.Another three suffered serious injuries in the incident, which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.
Long-term options
The Iraq Study group, the bipartisan task force asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, is to meet Mr Bush at the White House on Monday.
The panel, which is led by former US Secretary of State James Baker, reportedly thinks that "staying the course" is an untenable long-term strategy.
It is said to have been looking at two options, both of which would amount to a reversal of the Bush administration's stance.
One is the phased withdrawal of US troops, and the other is to increase contact with Syria and Iran to help stop the fighting.