US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to ask Congress to approve a request for nearly $190bn to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In prepared remarks, he said the money would help pay for armored vehicles to protect US troops from roadside bombs.

The request for the 2008 fiscal year, which starts in October, has risen more than a third from initial projections.

Democrats say they will try to use the spending request as leverage in their attempts to withdraw troops from Iraq.

According to his prepared testimony, Mr Gates will tell the Senate Appropriations Committee that he is aware of the deep concerns some feel about the US war in Iraq.

"I know that Iraq and other difficult choices America faces in the war on terror will continue to be a source of friction within the Congress, between the Congress and the president and in the wider public debate," he said.

But, he continued, he would like also to mention "the honor, courage and great sense of duty we have witnessed in our troops since 11 September".

No restrictions

Mr Gates is due to ask for some $42bn more than the administration's initial budget request of $142bn, made in February, and an additional request for $5.3bn for armored vehicles made in the summer.

The defense secretary is expected to tell Congress that $11bn of the extra money is needed to pay for an additional 7,000 mine-resistant armored vehicles.

A further $9bn would be spent on refurbishing equipment and technology being used in the conflicts.

He will also ask for $1bn to spend on improving and consolidating US bases in Iraq and the same amount to help train and equip Iraqi security forces.

Mr Gates will urge Congress to pass the request as quickly as possible "and without excessive and counterproductive restrictions", according to his prepared speech.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told AFP news agency the funding request took into account the desire of Gen David Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, to reduce troop numbers to their pre-surge levels, of about 130,000 troops, by next July.

Gen Petraeus and US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker presented a report to Congress last month in which they painted a relatively positive picture of progress on security in Iraq.

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US Defense Secretary Robert Gates