Labor leader Mark Latham, riding high in opinion polls ahead of an election due later this year, came under a barrage of criticism over his pledge, with government politicians accused him of playing into the hands of terrorists and straining the US alliance.

American ambassador Tom Schieffer described the pledge as "short-sighted" and warned it could undermine efforts to rebuild Iraq.

"There are over 40 nations in Iraq right now trying to stabilise the situation and rebuild the nation and it is very important work," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.

"If people were to withdraw their support from that action, I think it could have very serious consequences."

Latham stood by his pledge to withdraw the troops even if Iraq asked for them to remain, saying their deployment was a matter for Australia, not the United States or Britain.

Latham, whose Labor Party recently moved past Prime Minister John Howard's conservative coalition in opinion polls, accused the government of lacking an exit strategy for the 900 Australian personnel in Iraq.

"The big risk of course is that we are caught here with an indefinite deployment," he told Channel Nine television, saying it was logical the troops return after a sovereign government took control of Iraq.

Howard, one of Washington's staunchest allies in the Iraq campaign, said Latham's commitment would see troops withdrawn before the task of rebuilding Iraq was completed.

"It really is very foolish for him to be talking about pulling out at a time when the world requires people to hold firm," he told commercial radio.

"Whatever our differences may have been about going into Iraq, surely we can agree that our people should stay the distance and finish the job."

Government backbencher Bruce Scott went further and accused Latham of being an ally to terrorists.

"International terrorist organisations, Al-Qaeda, will say 'we've got an ally in Australia and that's Mark latham," he told reporters. "I think Mark Latham is obviously signalling he's prepared to risk the US-Australia alliance."

Scheiffer said he would urge Latham to reconsider.

"We don't want terrorists to get the wrong message here. We don't want them to think that the bombing in Madrid has paid some sort of political dividend whether it is in Spain or elsewhere," he said.

The Australian newspaper also weighed in with criticism of Latham's position, accusing him of playing politics with the future of the Iraqi people.

"Having helped win the war, it is incumbent on Australia to stay on for as long as Iraq needs our help to secure the peace," the newspaper said in an editorial.

Howard brushed aside strong pulic opposition last year to commit 2,000 Australian troops as well as jets and warships to the US-led invasion of Iraq, a decision that looks set to become a key issue as he seeks a fourth term in office.

Howard said Thursday that the troops would remain in Iraq well after the US-led coalition tranferred power to local lawmakers at the end of June.

"We are certainly going to be required to remain there after the hand-over and it's just too early to be setting these arbitrary deadlines," he said.

WAR.WIRE