WASHINGTON, June 16: A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Thursday urged US President George Bush to set a plan for troop withdrawal from Iraq, and said they would introduce legislation requiring him to do so.

The two Democrats and two Republicans, including two former presidential candidates, said they expect a cool reception to their proposal from leaders in the Congress, but are counting on spurring public debate on US goals in Iraq.

“We’re giving the American people now a vehicle for discussion. Isn’t that the way America should work?” asked Representative Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina.

Mr Jones joined with Democrats Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, and fellow Republican Ron Paul to propose that Congress require Mr Bush to develop a plan to begin withdrawing US troops from Iraq in October next year.—AFP