Bush seeks extra $82bn for wars

Mr Bush says costs include bolstering Iraq's security forces

US President George W Bush has formally asked Congress for an extra $82bn (£43.3bn) for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new money would push war spending to about $300bn (£158.6bn) since the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Most of the money will go to the army to pay for salaries and to fund the replacement or repair of equipment.

Mr Bush said the money would help to continue the pursuit of terrorists and bring democracy to the Middle East.

Security costs

The request for money to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan was not included in the $2.58 trillion (£1.38 trillion) budget presented to Congress last week.

The funds are in addition to the Pentagon's annual budget, which already totals more than $400bn.

Congress has already approved $25bn in emergency funds for this tax year.

Some of the $82bn will go to help pay for the training and equipping of Iraqi and Afghan forces and the construction of a new US embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, estimated to cost $1.5bn.

The number of troops in Iraq swelled to 150,000 ahead of the country's landmark election last month.

Some 120,000 troops are expected to remain there for at least two years.

President Bush hopes that bolstering the Iraqi security forces will provide the US with an exit strategy from the country.

In previous years, $120bn has been made available for Iraq and $60bn for Afghanistan.

Total war spending since 11 September 2001 is equivalent to more than $5,000 (£2,650) for each person living in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The package of funds also includes an additional $600m in new aid for the countries affected by the Asian tsunami.

Last week, Mr Bush presented Congress with his tightest budget so far.

He has promised to halve the country's burgeoning deficit, predicted to peak at $427bn (£230bn) within five years.