Wednesday, November 30 2005 11:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Amidst a raging debate over troop withdrawal from Iraq, US President George W Bush has said a decision on the matter would be taken based on the capability of Iraqis to fight the insurgents and recommendations of commanders on the ground.

"We will make decisions about troops levels based upon the capability of the Iraqis to take the fight to the enemy. I will make decisions on the level of troops based upon the recommendations of commanders on the ground," Bush said yesterday (November 30, 2005) in El Paso, Texas.

Bush's comments assume significance as they come ahead of a major policy address on Iraq at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld seconded his commander-in-chief essentially by making the argument that quitting the war will allow the insurgents to prevail and place the United States at "still greater risk." "Quitting is not an exit strategy," Rumsfeld said.

The war in Iraq is taking a heavy political toll on Bush with his approval rating as President at the lowest level in the last five years. And there have been growing calls in Congress even from conservatives on both sides of the aisle that it is time for America to start the winding down process in Iraq.

But Bush insisted that he would listen to his commanders in the field.