US Senate approves Iraq war withdrawal plan

WASHINGTON, Apr 26 (Reuters) The US Senate today joined the House of Representatives in approving legislation that would withdraw combat troops from Iraq over the next 11 months -- a plan certain to provoke a veto by President George W Bush.

By a vote of 51-46, the Senate voted for about 100 billion dollar to continue fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year.

Democrats argued that a new strategy of placing timetables on future combat will pressure Iraq's leaders to make political settlements necessary for controlling sectarian violence.

Bush has repeatedly warned he will not accept ''surrender'' dates for the war. He is expected to reject the bill when it is sent to him next week, marking his first veto confrontation with Democrats since they took control of Congress in January.

REUTERS DKS BST0037