McCain challenges Clinton, Obama on Iraq war

Virginia: Senator John McCain challenged Democratic rivals on Friday, saying they were weak on national security and their Iraq stance would hand Al Qaida a victory.

McCain accused presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton of wanting to set a date for withdrawing US troops from Iraq, which he said would have "catastrophic consequences".

"I believe that Al Qaida would trumpet to the world that they had defeated the United States of America, and I believe that therefore they would try to follow us home," he said.

The Obama and Clinton camps, fired back at McCain while arguing they were best suited to run against him. Obama said McCain was wrong about the foreign policy decision.

"I think it has been an enormous strategic blunder on the part of the United States. It has made us less safe. It has cost us dearly in blood and treasure," he added.

Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady who would be the first woman US president, said she was the strongest candidate to take on McCain in November.