Bush to withdraw troops

US President George W Bush is set to announce plans to withdraw about 8,000 troops from Iraq by February and to send additional forces to Afghanistan.



Mr. Bush is expected today to say in a speech that the improving security situation in Iraq will allow what is being described as a quiet surge of troops in Afghanistan in coming months.



A Marine battalion due to go to Iraq in November will be sent to Afghanistan, followed by an Army combat brigade.



There are currently 146,000 US troops in Iraq and 33,000 in Afghanistan.



Any long-term decision about their future deployment will be left to Mr. Bush\'s successor, who will take office in January.