A quick withdrawal of US forces from Iraq could allow victorious Muslim extremists to spread out into other countries such as Afghanistan, US Vice President Dick Cheney has claimed.
During a recent visit to Pakistan, Mr Cheney expressed concern to President Pervez Musharraf over al-Qaeda's regrouping inside Pakistan's tribal regions and an expected Taliban spring offensive in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at a dinner in Washington
"If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance. The violence would likely spread throughout the country and be very difficult to contain. Having tasted victory in Iraq, [the militants] would look for new missions. Many would head for Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban," Mr Cheney said.
He said others would head for capitals across the Middle East and work to undermine moderate governments.
"Still others would find their targets and victims in other countries on other continents. Such chaos and mounting danger does not have to occur. It is, however, the enemy's objective," Mr Cheney said.
"In these circumstances, it's worth reminding ourselves that, like it or not, the enemy we face in the war on terror has made Iraq the primary front in that war," he added.
Mr Cheney made his comments in a speech to a conservative conference last night following a visit to Afghanistan.
Earlier yesterday, Democratic officials said House Democratic leaders were gathering around legislation that would require troops to come home from Iraq within six months if that country's leaders fail to meet promises to help reduce violence there.
The proposal is the latest attempt by Democrats to resolve deep divisions within the party on how far to go to cut back US involvement in Iraq.