Bush makes surprise visit to Baghdad

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said during a surprise visit to Baghdad on Sunday that the American intervention in Iraq had been difficult but “necessary.”

“The work hasn’t been easy but it’s been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope and world peace,” Bush said at a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani.

Bush, who is due to leave office next month, ordered the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein but triggered years of deadly insurgency and sectarian violence.

“I’m so grateful that I’ve had a chance to come back to Iraq before my presidency ends,” said Bush, on his fourth visit to Iraq since the ousting of Saddam.

Bush described the US-Iraq security accord that calls for the withdrawal of US troops by the end of 2011 a “reminder of our friendship and a way forward to help the Iraqis to realise the blessings of a free society”.

Talabani, a Kurd who fought Saddam’s regime, called Bush “a great friend for the Iraqi people, who helped us liberate our country”.

RSS TrackBack URL

Translate: