Bush opposes 'precipitous' withdrawal from Iraq

Amid indications that changes in Iraq policy were under way, Bush said he was "encouraged" by a report issued Wednesday by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which cautioned against a quick withdrawal from the country.

The group, which called for a radical change of strategy in Iraq, suggested pulling out combat units from Iraq by early 2008.

But in his weekly radio address, Bush pointed out that in its report, the group declared that such a withdrawal would "almost certainly produce greater sectarian violence" and lead to "a significant power vacuum, greater human suffering, regional destabilisation, and a threat to the global economy."

"The Iraq Study Group understands the urgency of getting it right in Iraq," the president continued. "The group also understands that while the work ahead will not be easy, success in Iraq is important, and success in Iraq is possible."

Bush also expressed confidence that the incoming Democratic majority in the US Congress will be able to overcome its differences and find a way to achieve success in Iraq.

"I'm confident that we can move beyond our political differences and come together to achieve that victory," the president assured. "I will do my part."

Meanwhile, a powerful car bomb killed at least six people and wounded dozens more close to one of Iraq's holiest Shia shrines in the central city of Karbala yesterday, officials said.

Elsewhere, sectarian and insurgent attacks claimed 10 more lives.

Salim Kadhim, spokesman for Karbala's health department, said that six men had been killed and 47 people wounded -- including two women and a child -- in the car bombing, according to an initial toll.

A security official confirmed the figures.

The blast erupted at 11:00 am (0800 GMT) in Al-Abbas street, a few hundred metres (yards) from the Imam al-Abbas mausoleum, the final resting place of the son of the founder of Shia Islam and one of the sect's early leaders.

Several civilian cars and a row of shops caught fire.

Earlier insurgents killed three US soldiers and wounded two others in separate roadside bomb attacks in and around the Iraqi capital, the US military reported Friday.

Two soldiers died and two others were wounded during a "dismounted patrol" Thursday when a roadside bomb exploded south of Baghdad, the military said.

Earlier Friday the military announced the death of another soldier killed during a combat patrol in Baghdad.