Iraq polls should not be delayed, says Bush

US PRESIDENT George W Bush said yesterday that elections in Iraq should not be postponed and a 12,000-troop increase in the US presence there was aimed at bolstering security before January elections.

“The elections should not be postponed. It’s time for the Iraqi citizens to go to the polls and that’s why we are very firm on the January 30 date,” Mr Bush said.

“I have always said that I will listen to the requests of our commanders on the ground,” Mr Bush said, adding that the military had recommended that some soldiers’ tours be extended even as replacements come in.