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WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (AFP) - Twenty billion dollars from the 87 billion that President George W. Bush is seeking for his Iraq campaign will be spent on rebuilding the country, the White House said Monday.

Some 51 billion dollars would go to supporting the US Army's engagements in Iraq, according to the statement.

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"Initial estimates are that Iraq will need between 50 and 75 billion dollars," for its reconstruction, the statement said.

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In total, the special budget request is expected to steer some 66 billion dollars into supporting US military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries, while 21 billion dollars will be set aside for reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Faced with mounting attacks in Iraq, the US administration will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on extra armour for the estimated 130,000 troops there.

It plans to request 300 million dollars for "life-saving body armor" and 140 million dollars for "heavily armored" Humvee transport vehicles.