Iraq poll 'less than perfect' admits US

The US government has admitted that the Iraqi elections are likely to be "less than perfect" but has insisted they go ahead anyway.

Officials have rejected appeals from Sunni politicians that the poll be postponed, despite acknowledging it could be disrupted by guerrilla action in four of 18 Iraqi provinces.

Some political parties and even the interim government fear the lack of security will keep voters away, skewing the results.

The National Front For Iraq's Unity, a group of Sunni Muslim tribes and political parties, said it will withdraw if time is not given for further preparations in areas where security remains tenuous.

But US Secretary of State Colin Powell has ruled out any move to change the date, set for 30 January. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: "I think we all recognise that the election is not going to be perfect."