Washington: A first wave of additional US troops will go into Iraq before the end of the month under President George W Bush's new war plan, a senior defence official said.
Congressional Democrats continued resisting plans to boost troop strength in the widely unpopular conflict.
Up to 20,000 troops will be put on alert and be prepared to deploy under the president's plan, but the increase in forces on the ground will be gradual, the official, who requested anonymity because the plans have not yet been announced, said on Tuesday.
Details of the plan were emerging a day before Bush will address the nation on his broad initiative to shore up the fragile country after nearly four years of bloodshed.
Bush is also expected to link the troop increase to moves by the Iraqi government to ease the country's murderous sectarian tensions, and to increased US economic aid.
Moving first into Iraq would be the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, which is in Kuwait and poised to move quickly into the country.
Carl Levin, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he expects Bush to announce that up to 20,000 additional troops will be sent to Iraq but not to say how long the extra forces will be there.
Levin, who spoke to reporters a day after meeting with White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley, said he believes Bush will signal that the overall U.S. commitment in Iraq is not open-ended.
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