Iraq govt has "no objections" to Bush troop plan

BAGHDAD, Jan 9 (Reuters) The Iraqi government backs an increase in US troop numbers in Baghdad expected to be announced tomorrow by President George W Bush, the government spokesman said today.

''The Iraqi government does not object to an increase in coalition forces. The Iraqi government supports this trend,'' Ali al-Dabbagh told a news conference in the first official comment by the government on the expected US move.

He also said Iraq expected an increase in economic support.

REUTERS SSC MIR BST1720