WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The White House rebuffed on Friday a top Democrat's call for the immediate withdrawal of US troops out of Iraq and said such an act will be equal to surrendering to the terrorists.

    "Congressman (John) Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America. So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy position of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party," the White House said in a statement.

    "The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists. After seeing his statement, we remain baffled - nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer," the statement said.

    John Murtha, a Vietnam War veteran and one of Congress' most hawkish and influential Democrats, called for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq at a press conference on Thursday.

    "Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. It's time to bring them home," he said.

    The Bush administration has resisted calls from the Democrats to withdraw troops from Iraq and has insisted that it has a strategy for success in Iraq. However, recent polls show that moreand more Americans do not approve the Iraqi policy of the Bush administration and US President George W. Bush's approval ratings have fallen to record lows. Enditem