Bush advises Brown on Iraq pull-out

US President George W. Bush said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown should only withdraw forces from Iraq based on conditions on the ground and not on an arbitrary timetable.

Mr Bush issued the advice in an interview published yesterday ahead of his visit to Britain, the final stop of a European farewell tour on which he has won support for ratcheting up pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme.

He told Britain's Observer newspaper that the US and Britain, Washington's main ally on Iraq, obviously wanted to bring their troops home but that could be done only "based upon success."

"Our answer is: There should be no definitive timetable," said Mr Bush, adding he was "appreciative" that Mr Brown was in frequent touch about "what he and his military are thinking".

Mr Bush has a more formal relationship with Mr Brown than his predecessor, Tony Blair, Washington's staunchest supporter over Iraq. Brown is battling against poor opinion poll ratings and Iraq is a divisive issue in Britain. BBC TV showed a small group of protesters in Windsor demonstrating against Mr Bush but were out of his view.

After arriving in Britain under heavy guard, Mr Bush and his wife Laura had tea with Queen Elizabeth and toured Windsor Castle ahead of a social dinner with Mr Brown and his wife and bilateral talks today.

When Mr Brown visited Washington in April he caused a stir by meeting the 2008 presidential candidates before Mr Bush, a sign of how leaders are increasingly looking towards a new President. Mr Bush is expected to travel to Belfast today after meeting Mr Brown before returning to Washington.