Carter calls for US troops to quit Iraq next year

Carter's comments come one day after the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq hit 96 in the first three and a half weeks of October, the highest monthly toll in a year.

"I would personally like to see US troops out of Iraq within the next year or so," said Carter, who won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

"I don't think so far there's ever been any commitment from our government in Washington ever to totally withdraw from (the) Iraq military. I would like to see that commitment made," Carter told reporters in the Indian capital.

US President George Bush said earlier this week in Washington that US troops would not be withdrawn "until the job is down" despite concern among Americans over mounting US casualties.

Carter, who served as president from 1977-1981, said that before their withdrawal, US troops should be moved away from the Iraqi capital Baghdad.