War support slips in US

A growing number of Americans say the war in Iraq is not worthwhile, according to a survey released in Washington.

Almost half of Americans, 49%, oppose the war, compared to 48% who say it was worthwhile, according to a survey conducted this month by the Annenberg Public Policy Centre.

In October, 52% of Americans polled nationwide said the situation in Iraq was worth going to war over, while 43% said it was not.

The latest survey was conducted between November 1 and 9, a period when news of US helicopters being shot down in Iraq gained wide attention.

Opinion of how well President George Bush is dealing with the situation in Iraq have not changed as much over the same period.

Asked in November if they approved of Bush’s handling of the situation, 46% said they approved and 50% disapproved, and the figures were almost the same in October.