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US House votes for troop pullout US House votes for troop pullout
(about 1 hour later)
The United States House of Representatives has voted in favour of pulling most combat troops out of Iraq by April next year.The United States House of Representatives has voted in favour of pulling most combat troops out of Iraq by April next year.
The legislation calls for the Pentagon to begin withdrawing combat troops within four months.The legislation calls for the Pentagon to begin withdrawing combat troops within four months.
The vote comes despite President George W Bush's threat to veto any timetable.The vote comes despite President George W Bush's threat to veto any timetable.
Correspondents say the House of Representatives, controlled by the Democrats, is hoping to pressure the Senate to approve a similar timeline.Correspondents say the House of Representatives, controlled by the Democrats, is hoping to pressure the Senate to approve a similar timeline.
It is the third time this year the House has voted to end US military involvement in Iraq.It is the third time this year the House has voted to end US military involvement in Iraq.
Two previous efforts either failed in the Senate or were vetoed by President Bush.Two previous efforts either failed in the Senate or were vetoed by President Bush.
The latest attempt would allow some US forces to stay in Iraq to train the Iraqi army and carry out counter-terrorism operations.The latest attempt would allow some US forces to stay in Iraq to train the Iraqi army and carry out counter-terrorism operations.
Not even the White House can conclude there has been significant progress Nancy Pelosi Bush fights for time Bush comments on al-QaedaNot even the White House can conclude there has been significant progress Nancy Pelosi Bush fights for time Bush comments on al-Qaeda
"It is time for the president to listen to the American people and do what is necessary to protect this nation," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat."It is time for the president to listen to the American people and do what is necessary to protect this nation," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat.
"That means admitting his Iraq policy has failed, working with the Democrats and Republicans in Congress on crafting a new way forward in Iraq and refocusing our collective efforts on defeating al-Qaeda.""That means admitting his Iraq policy has failed, working with the Democrats and Republicans in Congress on crafting a new way forward in Iraq and refocusing our collective efforts on defeating al-Qaeda."
Earlier, President Bush presented an interim report on the situation in Iraq which said there had been only limited military and political progress following his decision to send troop reinforcements.Earlier, President Bush presented an interim report on the situation in Iraq which said there had been only limited military and political progress following his decision to send troop reinforcements.
The security situation in Iraq remains "complex and extremely challenging", the report said.The security situation in Iraq remains "complex and extremely challenging", the report said.
It added that the economic picture was "uneven" and political reconciliation lagging.It added that the economic picture was "uneven" and political reconciliation lagging.
Mixed resultsMixed results
The report said the Iraqi parliament had so far failed to adopt or even begin to debate crucial legislation for the country's oil industry.The report said the Iraqi parliament had so far failed to adopt or even begin to debate crucial legislation for the country's oil industry.
It also warned of "tough fighting" during the summer, saying al-Qaeda in Iraq was likely to "increase its tempo of attacks" before the release of the full report in September.It also warned of "tough fighting" during the summer, saying al-Qaeda in Iraq was likely to "increase its tempo of attacks" before the release of the full report in September.
KEY BENCHMARKS Amend constitution to tackle regional issuesGive jobs to former ruling party membersPass new law on sharing oil resourcesSecurity forces to be even-handed Benchmarks in full Politicians ponder moveKEY BENCHMARKS Amend constitution to tackle regional issuesGive jobs to former ruling party membersPass new law on sharing oil resourcesSecurity forces to be even-handed Benchmarks in full Politicians ponder move
"The report makes clear that not even the White House can conclude there has been significant progress," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat. "We have already waited too long.""The report makes clear that not even the White House can conclude there has been significant progress," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat. "We have already waited too long."
But Mr Bush rejected calls for a withdrawal of US forces, saying it would be disastrous.But Mr Bush rejected calls for a withdrawal of US forces, saying it would be disastrous.
He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, "not because pollsters say it'll be good politics".He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, "not because pollsters say it'll be good politics".
Mr Bush said pulling troops out too soon "would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to al-Qaeda".Mr Bush said pulling troops out too soon "would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to al-Qaeda".
"It would mean increasing the probability that American troops would have to return at some later date to confront an enemy that is even more dangerous," he added."It would mean increasing the probability that American troops would have to return at some later date to confront an enemy that is even more dangerous," he added.
The BBC's Matt Lantos in Washington says the most eagerly-awaited reaction is yet to come - that of those wavering Republicans who could determine whether or not Congress will try and force the president's hand. The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says the most eagerly-awaited reaction is yet to come - that of those wavering Republicans who could determine whether or not Congress will try and force the president's hand.
Three Republicans in the Senate have broken ranks with the president and called for a phased troop withdrawal.
Several others have signed on as supporters of a bipartisan bill to implement a series of changes recommended last December by the Iraqi Study Group.
The Democrats will need support from the Republicans if they are to push the legislation through in a final Senate vote expected next week.