US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said that he finds President Barack Obama more analytical on issues than former President George W Bush.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press”, Gatessaid: “It'shard to say. I think probably President Obama is somewhat more analytical, and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue, and if they don't speak up, he calls on them."

In contrast, President Bush didn't go out of his way to elicit input from those in the room, Gatessaid.

Gates believes the possibility that the plan to withdraw all US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011 would change is "fairly remote," but noted that President Obama has the authority to alter the plan.

He also said that field commanders would have preferred keeping current troop levels through the end of 2010.