Democrats to take control of US Congress

Washington: Democrats will take control of the US Congress on Thursday and are likely to seek a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The party will take over from US President George W Bush's Republicans.

While both sides have promised to work together, major battles seem certain, such as Democratic pressure to change Bush's strategy on Iraq.

The president set a positive tone on Wednesday for dealing with the new Congress. He called for spending cuts, a balanced budget and a consensus on Iraq.

"It's time to set aside politics and focus on the future," he said.

But incoming House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina, said "We welcome the president's newfound commitment to a balanced budget, but his comments make us wary."

New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer also expressed scepticism.

"We hope that when the president says compromise, it means more than 'Do it my way,' which is what he's meant in the past," Schumer said.

The Democrats won control of the House and Senate in the November 7 elections amid widespread public discontent with the Iraq war and what critics have called the "do-nothing" Republican Congress.