WASHINGTON, Sept 26: US defense officials have suggested over the past few days that the United States could be forced to deploy additional troops of its own to Iraq if no other countries agree to aid the US-led occupation.

The Pentagon had already decided to prolong the duration of duty tours in Iraq for both active and reserve troops to up to one year.

US leaders, including President George Bush, have stressed in the past few weeks that another multinational division of from 10,000 to 15,000 troops would be needed in Iraq.

Several countries — in particular Pakistan, Turkey, South Korea and India — have been asked to contribute forces, but have so far not agreed to do so.

Mr Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have held bilateral meetings with leaders of several countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in the hopes of convincing them to join a multinational force in Iraq.

The United States also is seeking a UN resolution aimed at convincing wary nations to contribute to Iraq’s reconstruction.

White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday she was optimistic the United States would obtain the needed support from other countries.

“We will get help from the international community,” Condoleezza Rice told ABC television.

“In all of our conversations this week, even with countries that did not agree with the decision to go to war in Iraq, there is universal agreement now that we have to make this work,” she added, referring to two days of meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said more US National Guard and reserve units may be called up to serve in Iraq if the United States fails to get other countries to contribute to the coalition forces there.—AFP