Renewed scepticism over US occupation of Iraq

RE-ELECTED by the smallest margin of any incumbent president in more than half a century, George W Bush - who began his second term yesterday - faces renewed scepticism over his handling of the occupation in Iraq, according to two new national polls released this week.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted on January 12-16 found that 58% of the 1,007 respondents disapprove of Bush’s performance in Iraq, while 40% said they approve it.

In addition, 55% said they now believe that the war was not worth fighting, while only 42% said they believe it was. On the other hand, a slight majority of 51% of the respondents said the war has contributed to the long-term security of the United States, while 47% said it has not.