In its editorial Wednesday, the independent Al Mashriq newspaper said one of the most important matters discussed in Washington was President Bush's departure from the White House and its effects on the situation in Iraq.

The editorial with the title "The denial of presence" said Bush was trying, in various ways, to keep U.S. troops in Iraq even after his departure, which means the next president will have to deal with the reality of the U.S. troops in Iraq.

It said Bush was trying to entrap his successor in a military situation from which there is little room for escape.

The paper said statements from the White House that the idea of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq was a rumor were mere "political refraction."

The paper said the White House spokeswoman complained that calls for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq was against U.S. national security interests and the interests of the Iraqi people.

The editorial also said Democrat Sen. Hillary Clinton said she is trying to stop preparations for permanent bases in Iraq.

It added that the news from the United States suggest discussions on the issue of permanent bases in Iraq will continue though the Security Council mandate will end next January.

"This means that the American officials will not be of any power in the current situation in Iraq," the editorial said.

It also said strategic analysts in Washington see the matter of the departure or presence of U.S. forces as not the most important matter for the country. The paper said Washington cares mainly about having a government in Iraq that backs its policies as it is in many countries in the Middle East that are protected by U.S. cover.

"If Washington was unsure of gaining satisfaction of the Iraqi leaders, it would have been keen to increase the number of U.S. troops, an issue Bush addressed in his last speech," it added.

The paper also said there were elements that negatively affect the presence or continuation of U.S. presence in Iraq.

"The exhausted U.S. troops' situation that have been in Iraq for over five years, according to the Gates report, is one of the negative elements that affect the existence of the U.S. in Iraq," it commented.

The editorial said pessimistic U.S. public opinion on the global war on terrorism while European countries watch and British forces leave Iraq are affecting the U.S. decision to keep troops in Iraq.

"Iraq's prime minister announced that now it is time to break down the terrorists, why now? Is it because Bush is leaving? But what do we know about the next U.S. president?" the editorial asked.