More than 50% of Iraqis think their lives are good, more than at any time in the last three years, a survey says.

While 55% of all Iraqis believe that their lives are good, only 33% of Sunnis are happy with their lives, compared with 62% of Shias and 73% of Kurds.

88%, 81% and 61% respectively - say that the availability of water, fuel and electricity is "very bad" or "quite bad".

poll suggests that Iraqis are sceptical about political progress.

21% believe that the increase in US forces has made conditions for political dialogue in Iraq better, while 43% think the surge has made conditions worse.

BBC World Affairs editor John Simpson says the continuing divisions make it "pretty meaningless to talk about 'Iraqi' opinion."

"In spite of all the improvements, the Sunni population of Iraq clearly remains deeply alienated, and deeply hostile