The leader of Australia’s Labor Party, Kevin Rudd said US President George W Bush will not influence his policy regarding the Iraq war during their meeting in Sidney.

Rudd plans to withdraw the 1,300 Australian troops from Iraq if he becomes prime minister after the November elections.

“We've been examining the situation on the ground over a long period of time,” Rudd said Friday. “Mr Bush and Mr Howard have their view on Iraq and we have a different view.”

According to the latest opinion polls, the Labor leader is viewed by most Australians as the country’s next premier. His statement comes after Bush said he will try to convince Rudd to continue Australia’s mission in Iraq during their first meeting.

“He doesn't know me and I don't know him, so I look forward to sharing my views and would ask, if he were to win (the upcoming election), that he would consider conditions on the ground before making any decisions,” Bush said.

The White House leader reiterated his belief that success can be achieved in Afghanistan and Iraq, but more needs to be done there in order to reach this bold desideratum and future plans include support from Australia.

Rudd said his party backs the so-called Baker-Hamilton report and will ask for a withdrawal from Iraq, one that would be done in several phases and begin by the end of 2007.

“Our policy is that we need a negotiated, phased withdrawal of Australian combat forces from Iraq and that is what we intend to proceed doing,” the prominent opposition member said ahead of his meeting with Bush that is scheduled to take place next week during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Bush said the current Prime Minister John Howard is a “man of steel” after respecting his commitment to support the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, Howard being placed on the same step as Britain's former premier Tony Blair.

Both politicians backed Bush’s policy and were able to develop strong ties with Washington, but Howard’s popularity dropped in the past period and the general elections could provide an unexpected outcome.