NEW YORK, Sept 7: A majority of citizens across the world (67 per cent) think US-led forces should leave Iraq within a year, according to a poll of 23,000 people across 22 countries. Just one in four think foreign troops should remain in Iraq until security improves, a poll said on Thursday.

The survey was conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan, together with the Programme on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland.

Muslim countries are among those most eager for the US-led forces to withdraw from Iraq immediately: Indonesia (65 per cent), Turkey (64 pc), and Egypt (58 pc). Latin Americans — Mexico and Brazil also favour immediate withdrawal.

However, half of those polled (49 pc) believe the United States plans to keep permanent military bases in Iraq. Another 36 per cent believe the US will withdraw all forces once Iraq is stabilised.

Three in five Americans think US forces should get out of Iraq within a year, including 24 pc who favour immediate withdrawal and 37 pc who prefer a one year timetable. Another 32 pc of Americans say the forces should stay until security improves.

Other members of the US-led coalition also have majorities wanting forces out within a year: 65 pc of Britons, 63 pc of South Koreans and 63 pc of Australians.

Three countries — Kenya, the Philippines and India — do not have majorities favouring withdrawal within a year, but in no case does a majority favour remaining until security improves.