Bush Iraq plan sees troop boost-defense official

WASHINGTON, Jan 10 (Reuters) The latest draft of President George W. Bush's new Iraq strategy calls for an increase of more than 20,000 troops, with most going to Baghdad and 4,000 to Anbar province, a defense official said.

The plan -- due to be unveiled by Bush today -- also calls for responsibility for security for all the country's provinces to be turned over to Iraqi forces by November, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Security in three of the country's 18 provinces is currently under Iraqi control.

The latest draft of Bush's plan foresees five extra US brigades in Baghdad, the official said. A US Army brigade typically contains somewhere around 4,000 soldiers.

US commanders have said Baghdad is the most crucial front in the Iraq war but have also stressed they must bring the restive western province of Anbar under control.

The province, currently patrolled by US Marines, is a hotbed of Sunni insurgents and Islamist militants.

Reuters DKS VP0437