Bush surrounds himself with war supporters

Tim Reid, Washington

Top two generals in Iraq replaced

Divisions persist over more troops

President Bush yesterday began an overhaul of his top military and diplomatic teams as he prepared to announce a highly controversial increase of 20,000 US troops in Iraq. He is to replace his two senior generals in Iraq, both said to be sceptical about increasing troop numbers, and he has also reshuffled his national security and foreign policy teams.

The moves are part of a broad mission to surround himself, both in Washington and on the ground in Iraq, with officials who support increasing troop numbers, a move largely opposed on Capitol Hill and among the American public.

Mr Bush is also beefing up his White House legal team in anticipation of a blizzard of Iraq-related subpoenas expected to be issued by the new Democrat-controlled Congress. On Thursday he accepted the resignation of Harriet Miers, his White House counsel, after aides expressed doubts about her ability to push back against what Democrats have promised will be vigorous oversight of the war’s management.

Mr Bush has also hired an extra four assistant White House counsel in recent weeks. Ms Miers’s position is expected to be filled by a heavyweight capable of resisting the looming Democrat onslaught.

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