President George Bush threatened to veto legislation setting a date for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, despite growing bipartisan calls in Congress for an end to US participation in the war and sharp criticism of the Iraqi government.

Two American senators said Pakistan needs to do more to stem the infiltration of insurgents into Afghanistan, as an attack by two suicide bombers in the eastern city of Khost left one policemen dead and 17 people wounded.

US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has decided to personally sign condolence letters to the families of American troops killed in action rather than letting a machine affix his signature.

US senators Hillary Clinton and Jack Reed arrived in Iraq yesterday following President George Bush’s surprise visit – and said it was not too late to bring the United Nations back into the country.

HILLARY CLINTON was in Afghanistan yesterday to visit troops who have been stationed in the country since the toppling of the Taliban regime.