President George W. Bush yesterday pledged to veto legislation that includes a timetable for pulling US troops from Iraq but Democrats urged him to "heed the call of the American people" and sign it.

"I'm sorry it's come to this," Mr Bush told reporters. "I'm sorry that... the issue evolved the way it has. But nevertheless, it is what it is, and it will be vetoed."

The Democratic-controlled Congress this week approved a $124 billion war-spending measure that would require US troops to begin leaving Iraq by October 1, at the latest.

Senate Democrats, discussing legislative priorities at a New York retreat, urged Mr Bush to consider the measure carefully.

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