BEIJING, August 10, 2008 (AFP) - The United States said Sunday it was unlikely North Korea would be immediately taken off the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

US President George W. Bush began a process in June of taking North Korea off the terrorism blacklist, with Monday being the earliest that could happen.

'At this point, I think, it is reasonable to say that tomorrow probably will come and go without that happening,' said Dennis Wilder, National Security Council senior director for Asian affairs, who is in Beijing with Bush.