[Rocol]

The man picked by George W Bush to be America's next defence secretary has conceded that the US is losing the war in Iraq.

Robert Gates made the admission a few hours before the president receives a major report on future options in the conflict.

The former head of the CIA was asked by Senators at his confirmation hearing: "We are not winning the war in Iraq. Is that correct?"

Mr Gates said: "That is my view. Yes sir."

He was then asked: "Therefore the status quo is not acceptable?"

He responded: "That is correct sir."

Mr Gates went on to warn that if Iraq is not stabilised in a year or two, the whole Middle East could implode.

He said: "There needs to be a change in our approach in Iraq. In my view all options are on the table."

The Iraq Study Group is now due to report, and they are expected to call for the biggest change yet in US strategy in Iraq, recommending a gradual pull-out of combat troops over the next 18 months, although they are not likely to fix a timetable.

He said: "There needs to be a change in our approach in Iraq. In my view all options are on the table."

Let's hope that doesn't mean that we are going to see another ' Hiroshima ' ...