US troop support hits fresh low
From correspondents in Washington
March 17, 2006


TWO thirds of Americans believe the United States is losing ground in Iraq, and less than half believe that US-led forces can leave a stable and democratic regime in Baghdad, according to a poll published today.

The Pew Research Centre for the People and the Press found 66 per cent of those surveyed believe the threat of a civil war in Iraq has increased.

That was sharply higher than the 48 per cent who shared that opinion in January, before the destruction of the Shiite shrine in Samarra and the subsequent upsurge in violence.

"As the third anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq approaches, public support for keeping US troops in Iraq has reached its lowest point and assessments of progress there have turned significantly more negative than they were just a few months ago," the think tank said.

Only 49 per cent of those polled believe that the United States will succeed in Iraq, down from around 55 per cent for several months.

Trust in President George W. Bush's strategy for victory continues to sink: 70 per cent believe he lacks a clear plan for successfully ending the war.

The poll, which has a five-point margin of error, was carried out among 1405 people between March 8 and 12.