There was a significant reduction from February to August 2007 in the numbers who believe that the US and coalition forces are mainly to blame.

Poll analysts suggest this trend could be partially explained by a perceived backlash against the 'foreign' presence of al-Qaeda and other jihadi elements in parts of the country where tribal allegiances are strong, such as Anbar province.

"How long do you think US and other Coalition forces should remain in Iraq?"

The autumn 2007 poll reflects growing disillusionment with the occupying forces' presence in Iraq. There is a growing consensus among respondents that coalition troops should leave the country immediately.

Some 47% of respondents now back an immediate withdrawal, compared with 35% in February.

The poll also shows dwindling support for troops remaining in the country, even in support of the Iraqi government and security forces. Only 10% of those surveyed favour coalition forces remaining for that purpose.

"Thinking about the political action of other people, do you find each of these items to be acceptable or not acceptable?"

Attacks on coalition forces

One of starkest statistics from the poll is the overwhelming support for attacks on coalition forces among Iraq's minority Sunni population; 93% of those surveyed said they considered it acceptable.

Attacks on Iraqi forces

By the same majority - 93% - respondents reject violence against Iraqi forces.

"Thinking of the current national government of Iraq, how do you feel about the way in which it has carried out its responsibilities?"

Iraqis polled in the latest survey are increasingly disillusioned with the government, figures suggest. More than a quarter of those polled in 2005 said that they thought the government was doing a "very good job", whereas by August 2007, this figure has fallen to just over 5%.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nouri Kamel al-Maliki is handling his job as prime minister?"

Shia politician Nouri al-Maliki became prime minister of Iraq in April 2006, and before returning following the fall of Saddam Hussein spoke in favour of a pluralist country whose various ethnic and sectarian groups regarded each other as equals.

The latest polls however reflect dwindling support for him; some 66% of those polled registered their disapproval of the way he is handling his job.

"Which of the following structures do you believe Iraq should have in the future?"

Opinions on the future of the country vary widely by ethnic grouping. Sunni Arabs remain strongly in favour of a single unified nation, while Kurds in northern Iraq overwhelmingly support a break-up of the country into indepedent nations - a move which would see the emergence of a separate Kurdistan.

Iraq was divided into regions for the poll:

North: made up of the districts of Dahuk, Irbil, Nineveh, Sulaimaniya, Tamim.

Central: Baghdad, Anbar, Babil, Diyala, Salahuddin.

South: Basra, Karbala, Misan, Najaf, Muthanna, Qadisiya, Dhiqar, Wasit.

The results show that people in the northern and southern districts are generally happier with the conditions in which they live than those in the central regions and Baghdad.

HOW DO YOU RATE CONDITIONS WHERE YOU LIVE?

Methodology: