An editorial in the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times, and Marine Corps Times on Monday blamed US Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld for losses in war in Iraq and demanded that Bush lets Rumsfeld go.

"This is not about the midterm elections. Regardless of which party wins Nov 7, the time has come, Mr President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go," the editorial said.

"It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation's current military leaders start to break publicly with their defence secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads," the editorial argues.

On Wednesday, President Bush had said he wants Rumsfeld and Vice-president Dick Cheney to remain in his administration until the end of his presidency.

But Democrats and Republicans alike have called for Rumsfeld's resignation, arguing he has mishandled the war in Iraq, where over 2,800 members of the US military have died since the US-led invasion in March 2003.

Mr Bush, however, credited Mr Rumsfeld with overseeing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while overhauling the military. "I'm pleased with the progress we're making," the president said.