Washington: A prominent US lawmaker hassaid the latest intelligence report prepared by the Bush administration hasonly underscored the need for a political solution rather than a troopescalation in the trouble-torn West Asian nation to end the bloodshed there.

Tom Lantos, a Democrat and Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,said the adminsitration should step up diplomatic efforts to bring the bloodshedto an end in the violence-hit Iraq.

"The report explicitly notes 'the absence of unifying leaders' in Iraqand identifies 'stronger Iraqi leadership' as a 'key enabler' for progress. Itstresses the need for compromise on the part of the Shi'a and Kurds, and theimperative for Sunni acceptance of the current political structure," hesaid in a statement.

"The report also starkly identifies a brutal truth: Iraq faces a grave humanitariancrisis if its ethno-sectarian divisions are not resolved," he added.

He said the document underscore the need for a 'political solution' in Iraq thatinvolves all key stakeholders, both within the country and in the region.

"Rather than the troop escalation the Administration has planned, we muststep up our diplomatic efforts to bring the bloodshed t o an end," Lantossaid.

"In short, this document cries out for a more enlightened approach. Itstrongly suggests the need for a far more integrated diplomatic, political,economic and military strategy than what the President has so far offeredus," the California Democrat who heads the powerful House Panel said.