President George Bush has acknowledged that he does not think the war on terror can be won, but said it would make it less acceptable for groups to use terrorism as a tool.

In a US TV interview, Bush, who has said he expects the war on terror to be a long, drawn-out battle, was asked: "Can we win it?"

The president replied: "I don't think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that the - those who use terror as a tool are - less acceptable in parts of the world."

As the Republican National Convention opens in New York today, Bush is campaigning in New Hampshire, a tiny swing state where a victory is not a sure bet.

It's his eighth trip to the state as president.

Four years ago, Bush won New Hampshire by 7,211 votes. While Republicans outnumber Democrats among the state's registered voters, more than a third of those registered have yet to declare for one party or the other.