US orders minor withdrawal of troops from Iraq

US president George Bush announced plans today to withdraw 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February.

The drawdown is not nearly as strong or swift as some anticipated given the security gains in Iraq this year.

No more combat brigades will come home for the rest of this year.

There are about 146,000 US troops in Iraq.

The move was criticised by his Democratic party opponents who want a swift withdrawal of troops and the war to end.

In a speech at the National Defence University, Mr Bush said more troops may be withdrawn in the first half of 2009 if conditions improve.

That decision will soon be up to his successor, however. Mr Bush leaves office on January 20, 2009.