Mumbai: The United States' current policies regarding Iraq would continue as it was a long-term proposition, the US ambassador to India, David C Mulford said in Mumbai today (Nov 4, 2004).

"The US military mission in that country would continue till the task is completed, and all the necessary process are underway for peaceful democratic elections to be held in January 2005," Mulford said at a press conference.

Replying to a question on Israel-Palestinian peace process, he said, "US President George W Bush has indicated that he would support the people of Palestine for their homeland but was not ready to recognise Yasser Arafat as the peace leader."

"Bush has asked the Palestinian people to come forward and definitely the issue could be negotiated," Mulford said.

Mulford was here to attend a meeting organised by International Institute of Finance.

On global peace, he said, "The US will continue to work on anti-terrorism, not only for the safety and security of its own country but for the entire world."

"It is important to achieve world peace and President Bush has sought the co-operation of the entire world community to achieve world peace," he added.