In another setback to President Bush's increasingly unpopular war strategy, GOP stalwart Sen. Pete Domenici said he wants to see an end to combat operations and US troops heading home from Iraq by spring.

The longtime New Mexico senator is the latest of several party loyalists and former war supporters to abandon Bush on Iraq in the past 10 days. They have urged a change sooner rather than later and further isolated the GOP presi-

dent in his attempt to defend the unpopularwar.

Last week, Sens Richard Lugar, R-lndiana, and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said the US should significantly reduce its military presence in Iraq while bolstering diplomatic efforts. Sen John Warner, R-Virginia, this month is expected to propose a new approach.

"I do not support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops," Domenici said. "But I do support a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path

to coming home."

With Congress on its July Fourth break, Domenici made his views known Thursday at a press conference in Albuquerque, N.M., though he said he has not talked to the administration about wanting a strategy shift.

"I have carefully studied the Iraq situation and believe we cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely while the Iraqi government is not making measurable progress to move its country forward," he said.