Bush pledges support for Iraqi government

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – President Bush pledged U.S. backing for
Iraq’s new government on Tuesday, telling the country’s prime
minister that “when America gives its word, it keeps its word.”

Bush spoke during a meeting with Iraqi Cabinet ministers
gathered at the U.S. Embassy during a surprise visit by the
president to Baghdad.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told Bush, “We are determined
to succeed and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the
hardships.”

“God willing all the suffering will be over, all the
soldiers will return to their countries with our gratitude, for
what they have offered, the sacrifices,” said Maliki, sitting
next to Bush at a long conference table.

Bush told Maliki, “I have come to not only look you in the
eye, I’ve also come to tell you that when America gives its
word, it keeps its word.”

He said it was in U.S. interest that Iraq succeed and that
he was impressed by what he had seen of Maliki and his unity
government.