Four US military newspapers catering to all the branches of the US armed forces will publish an editorial on the eve of the November 7 congressional election, demanding the resignation of US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, NBC News reported.
An advance copy of the article titled "Time for Rumsfeld to Go" was obtained by the television network and posed on its website late on Friday.
It is scheduled for simultaneous publication on Monday by the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times, NBC News said.
"Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large," the advance copy said.
"His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised," the editorial continued. "And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt."
Addressing President George W. Bush, who reaffirmed his confidence in Rumsfeld just this past week, the newspaper assured him they were not trying to influence the elections.
"Regardless of which party wins November 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go," the article said.
There was no immediate comment from either the Pentagon or the White House about the report.