US public's support for war 'highest since August'

Public support in the United States for the war in Iraq has climbed to its highest level since August, according to a poll out…

Public support in the United States for the war in Iraq has climbed to its highest level since August, according to a poll out today.

The jump in support is being seen by some as a response to President George Bush's surprise visit to troops in Baghdad for Thanksgiving last month.

It comes as US soldiers continue to be attacked, and as the United Nations said it would direct its Iraq operations from outside the country due to safety fears.

According to the Gallup poll for the USA Today newspaper and CNN, six in 10 Americans now support the decision to go to war.

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Sixty per cent also said the current situation in Iraq was worth going to war over. In October 55 per cent gave the same answer.

The figures represent the greatest support for the war since August, when attacks on troops escalated and support at home dropped.

The number of people wanting troops to be withdrawn fell to 42 per cent, down from a high of 57 per cent in October.   Political analysts believe the Mr Bush's Thanksgiving visit to troops, when he won maximum publicity, influenced the figures.

His current approval rating is 55 per cent according to the poll, up from a low of 50 per cent before the American holiday.

PA