Hard Iraq choices loom, says Bush

US President George W Bush has said the conflict in Iraq will require "difficult choices and additional sacrifices" in the coming year.
Mr Bush called for an increase in the size of the US military, but he said he had not yet decided whether to boost troop numbers in Iraq.

He spoke as new US Defence Secretary Robert Gates began his first visit to Iraq, two days after taking office.

Mr Bush is expected to announce a new strategy for Iraq next month.

In Iraq, the US military handed over security of Najaf province, south of the capital Baghdad, to government forces on Wednesday.

Najaf is the third province to come under Iraqi security control.

The commander of US forces in the Middle East, Gen John Abizaid, meanwhile is to retire early next year after more than three years in the job, a spokesman for US Central Command said.

His departure will clear the way for Mr Gates to choose his own commander in the strategic region, correspondents say.

'No let-up'

The president said 2006 had been a "difficult year" for the US military and the Iraqi people, and said the US "will ask more of our Iraqi partners" in 2007.

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