WASHINGTON, Dec 5: Interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar reaffirmed his support on Sunday for holding elections on Jan 30 in Iraq, saying any delay would be a victory for violent foes and trigger resentment.

In offering an upbeat assessment on the eve of a White House meeting with President George W. Bush, Yawar also voiced hope that American troops could be withdrawn within a year or so provided Iraq's own security forces can take over.

"I don't think it will take several years," Yawar told NBC's "Meet the Press" on a day guerrillas shot and killed 17 Iraqis working for US forces north of Baghdad and six other people, taking the toll from three days of violence to more than 70.

"It will take months," Yawar asserted. "Six months or eight months or a year. But I don't think it will take years. Definitely not." Yawar acknowledged that the Iraqi people are fearful amid stepped-up violence and said the international community needs to help.

"We do not think that postponing elections ... will solve the problem. Actually, it will prolong the agony for Iraqis and you will have more resentment in the Iraqi society," Yawar said. Bush said last week that the elections should be held as scheduled despite calls for a postponement. -Reuters