WASHINGTON, Sept 28: A large majority of Americans, 72 per cent, want US President George W. Bush to pass some of the authority for rebuilding war-ravaged Iraq to the UN, according to a Newsweek poll out on Saturday.

The poll found that nearly three-quarters of all those surveyed would support the United States handing some authority on Iraq over to the United Nations as a way to garner foreign money and troops toward the rebuilding efforts.

“When it comes to Iraq, America and the UN, a 72 per cent majority of Americans polled say they favor the United States turning over some authority for rebuilding Iraq to the United Nations as a way to encourage other countries to provide money and troops,” the newsmagazine said.

In a finding that is likely to deliver slight relief to Bush’s political minders, the poll found the president’s overall approval rating had risen marginally in the wake of his speech to the UN on Tuesday.

Bush’s approval rating rose one percentage point to 52 per cent after Tuesday’s speech, reversing a steady decline in the president’s popularity for the past two months in Newsweek polls.

Approval for Bush’s handling of Iraq also rose one percentage point to 47 per cent compared with a week ago.

Forty-six per cent disapproved of how the president is handling Iraq, a drop of one percentage point from a week ago.

The poll found 49 per cent of those canvassed believed the United States should cut the number of US troops in Iraq and start shipping soldiers home.

Some 29 per cent said troop numbers should be maintained in Iraq.

But 51 per cent of people said US troop numbers should be reduced only if they are replaced by international forces.

Turning to domestic politics, the poll found retired army general Wesley Clark mounts the most serious challenge to Bush’s grip on the White House among opposition Democrats vying for the 2004 presidential nomination.

In a mock election between Bush and Clark, 49 per cent of registered voters said they would vote for Bush, while 43 per cent said they would root for Clark.

Voters were narrowly split on whether they would like to see Bush re-elected.

Forty-six per cent said they would support a Bush re-election, compared with 47 per cent who opposed having Bush serve another term.

The poll found Clark’s visibility had increased among Democratic voters compared with a week ago.

The retired general leads the Democratic contenders currently in the race, with 16 per cent of the vote.

Clark is followed by former Vermont governor Howard Dean, with 12 per cent, and Senator John Kerry and Representative Dick Gephardt, each of whom secured 10 per cent of the vote.

The Newsweek poll canvassed 1,004 adults between September 25 and 26 and has a three-percentage-point margin of error.—AFP