WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The US Republican-led House of Representatives on Friday defeated a resolution that called for an immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

    The vote on the Republican-sponsored resolution, which was intended to fail, was viewed as a Republican maneuver designed to discredit Iraq war critics, following a call by Democratic Representative John Murtha Thursday for immediate withdrawal of US forces out of Iraq.

    While Republicans said the 403-3 vote was intended to show backing for US forces in Iraq, Democrats termed it as a political stunt and an attack on Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a Vietnam War veteran.

    "We want to make sure that we support our troops that are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will not retreat," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

    Murtha called for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq on Thursday.

    "Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. It's time to bring them home," said Murtha, who offered a resolution demanding a pullout.

    He said American troops had become "the primary target of the insurgency," and had become "a catalyst for violence."

    "The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion," said Murtha, who voted for the Iraq war in October 2002. Enditem