US majority says Iraq war a mistake - poll

For the first time, a majority of Americans say they think the United States made a mistake sending troops to Iraq, according to a new poll.

The poll found that 54% of people say the war was a mistake, up from 41% who felt that way in early June.

The poll also found that more than half say the Iraq war has made the US less safe from terrorism.

Only a third said it made this country safer.

The finding in the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll, that more than half now think the Iraq war was a mistake, recalls the disillusionment of Americans in 1968 with the Vietnam War.

The first time a majority said that was a mistake was in August 1968.

In the Gulf War of 1991, the highest that level of concern got was three in 10.

The negative findings on the Iraq war come as the United States prepares to turn over sovereignty of the country to Iraqis.

As of yesterday, 842 US service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq last year, according to the US Defence Department.