By Ben Feller WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Monday signed a deal setting the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq, with details to be negotiated over matters that have defined the war debate at home -- how many U.S. forces will stay in the country, and for how long.

President Bush on Monday signed a deal setting the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq, with details to be negotiated over matters that have defined the war debate at home - how many U.S. forces will stay in the country, and for how long.

WASHINGTON _ President Bush's choice to be his war adviser, Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, said Thursday that the U.S. military surge has given the Iraqi government a "golden opportunity," but Iraqi leaders aren't making the economic and political progress needed to achieve national reconciliation.

By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, picked by President Bush as his White House war adviser, said Wednesday he had been skeptical of Bush's decision to send thousands more U.S. troops into Iraq.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, picked by President Bush as his White House war adviser, said Wednesday he had been skeptical of Bush's decision to send thousands more U.S. troops into Iraq.