The capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein by American troops has boosted President George W Bush's approval rating, according to the New York Times/CBS News survey. 

But poll finds the capture of the deposed Iraqi leader has not dramatically affected Americans' attitude toward the war.

The New York Times/CBS News survey was made public on Tuesday. Bush's overall approval rating rose from 52 per cent just before Saddam's arrest to 58 per cent now.

Thirty-three per cent of respondents disapproved of how Bush was doing his job, the poll showed.

But the public remained divided over whether the capture of Saddam Hussein meant the United States has won the war in Iraq, and despite his arrest, few believed the war was over or that America was now safer from terrorism.

Eighty-six per cent of those surveyed said the war in Iraq was still going on, and only 24 per cent predicted attacks on US troops in Iraq will decrease as a result of the deposed leader's capture. Fifty-two per cent said they will continue as before.

But the capture of Saddam also appears to have made Americans more optimistic about the country's overall direction.

Forty-nine per cent of those polled said America was on the right track, compared to 39 per cent that held that opinion before the capture.

Agencies