US general`s plan means 10 more years of war, democrats

"President Bush`s policy announced by General Petraeus is a path to 10 more years of war in Iraq," said Pelosi in a strongly-worded statement after meeting the president at the White House.

"General Petraeus` testimony to Congress drew a bright line: redeployment is not an option; endless war in Iraq is the administration`s only option."

Petraeus said during two days of gruelling congressional testimony that the "surge" of some 30,000 more troops into Baghdad was working, and that US troop numbers could recede back by next summer.

But Pelosi slammed such a scenario as "an insult to the intelligence of the American people."

Senate Democrats argued the surge had failed in its prime goal -- forging political reconciliation between Iraq`s warring factions.

"We should stop the surge and start bringing our troops home," said senior Democratic Senator Joseph Biden.