Bush admits Iraq insurgency still tough

CAMP DAVID, Maryland - President George W Bush acknowledged today that Iraq's insurgency remains a serious challenge despite Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, and aides insisted US troops must stay for now to help secure the country.

Bush offered a cautious assessment as he held high-level consultations hoping to capitalise on the killing of Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, and revive public support for an unpopular war that has dragged down his approval ratings.

Bush asked commanders, who were briefing him by video-conference, to congratulate their forces for "bringing Zarqawi to justice" in an air strike on his hide-out last week. The Jordanian militant leader masterminded some of the bloodiest bombings since a 2003 US-led invasion.

"I fully recognise that's not going to end the war," Bush said. "On the other hand it was a major blow to al Qaeda, and the killers and terrorists who are trying to spread violence and suffering and stop the emergence of a new democracy."

As Bush convened his two-day war council at Camp David, al Qaeda announced Zarqawi's successor and insurgents stepped up attacks, killing 34 people in a string of bombings.

Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other advisers were meeting to reassess strategy on Iraq and figure out how to best help the country's new unity government.

They spoke by videoconference with the top US commanders in Iraq, Gens. George Casey and John Abizaid, as well as the US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad.

Bush told them it was important to "have an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself."

White House counsellor Dan Bartlett told reporters after Bush held an initial three-hour session that it was agreed the Iraqi insurgency remained "a very serious and vexing challenge."

He called the completion of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's unity cabinet, members of which will participate in the Camp David meetings by videoconference tomorrow, a "fundamental break point" for the Iraqi people and said the meeting aimed to take a comprehensive look to make sure it was successful.

The White House also sought to temper heightened expectation among many Americans that Zarqawi's death would lead to US troop reductions soon.

Bartlett said the meeting was not about troop numbers and that Bush's position remained that any withdrawals will be based on conditions on the ground.

General Casey predicted yesterday that American forces would scale back gradually in coming months if the new government holds together and the Iraqi army makes progress.

Despite pressure from Democrats, public polls and administration critics for a plan to bring troops home soon, Bush has offered no timetable for a withdrawal of the 131,000 US soldiers in Iraq. He insists US forces cannot leave until the Iraqis can secure their own country.

Military commanders had hoped to reduce the US presence to 100,000 troops by the end of the year, but an unrelenting insurgency and sectarian violence have cast doubt on that.

Zarqawi's killing in a US air strike last week was a desperately needed military success for Bush, who has seen public disenchantment with the war increase as American casualties -- now topping 2,400 -- continue to mount.

Bush's fellow Republicans are worried that opposition to the war could hurt their chances of keeping control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

- REUTERS