Bush said likely to unveil Iraq plan in early '07

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) President George W Bush is likely to delay the unveiling of a new strategy for Iraq until early 2007, instead of late this year as originally planned, a White House official said today.

A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plan was now ''more likely'' to come in the new year.

Facing growing pressure to shift course in the unpopular Iraq war, Bush is weighing the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, led by former Secretary of State James Baker and ex-congressman Lee Hamilton. The panel's report calls for accelerating the training of Iraqi forces and pulling back US combat troops by early 2008.

Several reviews are also under way within the administration and Bush held a video conference today morning with the US military commanders in Baghdad and his national security team.

The US official said the administration is leaning toward a January announcement of its strategy overhaul because ''there's still work to be done'' and the aim to is to get a good plan rather than to meet a deadline.

''This is not a sign of trouble. This is a sign of determination on the part of the president,'' the official said.

REUTERS PDM BD2215