This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/5337080.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US waging 'ideological struggle' US waging 'ideological struggle'
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said the fight against terror is a "struggle for civilisation", in a speech marking five years since the 11 September attacks.US President George W Bush has said the fight against terror is a "struggle for civilisation", in a speech marking five years since the 11 September attacks.
Addressing the nation from the Oval Office, Mr Bush called for a unified country to "meet the test of history".Addressing the nation from the Oval Office, Mr Bush called for a unified country to "meet the test of history".
Earlier, Mr Bush attended solemn ceremonies in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Earlier, Mr Bush attended solemn ceremonies in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Mr Bush has only made five such addresses to the American people - the first was on the day of the attacks.Mr Bush has only made five such addresses to the American people - the first was on the day of the attacks.
"It is a struggle for civilisation. We are fighting to maintain a way of life enjoyed by free nations," Mr Bush said during the speech, broadcast during primetime on US networks. Mr Bush said the so-called war on terror was much more than a military conflict.
'New threat''New threat'
"It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century and the calling of our generation," he said during the speech, broadcast during primetime on US networks.
"It is a struggle for civilisation. We are fighting to maintain a way of life enjoyed by free nations."
He told viewers that America did not ask for this war.He told viewers that America did not ask for this war.
ATTACKS IN DETAIL How the towers fell The four hijacksATTACKS IN DETAIL How the towers fell The four hijacks
"But the war is not over and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious," he said."But the war is not over and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious," he said.
Mr Bush warned that failing to face the enemy now would create a new threat in the future.Mr Bush warned that failing to face the enemy now would create a new threat in the future.
"We will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons," he said."We will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons," he said.
The BBC's James Westhead, in Washington, says the speech will inevitably have political significance for the US, deeply divided both on Iraq and the administration's tactics in fighting the war on terror. The BBC's James Westhead, in Washington, says the speech will inevitably have political significance for the US, deeply divided both on Iraq and the administration's tactics in fighting the "war on terror".
As the US marked the anniversary, broadcasters aired an apparently new video from al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who urged Muslims to increase resistance against the US. Mr Bush said the US must remain committed to Iraq.
"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone," he said.
"They will not leave us alone. They will follow us."
He said the safety of the US depended on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad.
As the nation marked the anniversary, broadcasters aired an apparently new video from al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who urged Muslims to increase resistance against the US.
In the footage, he referred to the recent Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, saying al-Qaeda had been given "every legitimacy" to keep fighting the US and its allies.In the footage, he referred to the recent Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, saying al-Qaeda had been given "every legitimacy" to keep fighting the US and its allies.
'Together as one''Together as one'
Earlier, flags flew at half-mast at Ground Zero, the footprint of New York's World Trade Center, as those present remembered the moments when the hijacked planes hit the two towers.Earlier, flags flew at half-mast at Ground Zero, the footprint of New York's World Trade Center, as those present remembered the moments when the hijacked planes hit the two towers.
Tearful families of the victims, some clutching photos of loved ones, floated flowers in a reflecting pool in remembrance of those who had died at the site.Tearful families of the victims, some clutching photos of loved ones, floated flowers in a reflecting pool in remembrance of those who had died at the site.
HAVE YOUR SAY 9/11 taught us the true brutality of terrorism J Fernando, Colombo Send us your comments US media on 9/11 aftermath International media reviewHAVE YOUR SAY 9/11 taught us the true brutality of terrorism J Fernando, Colombo Send us your comments US media on 9/11 aftermath International media review
Mr Bush, accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush, observed the memorial silences at a fire station among colleagues of the hundreds of fire-fighters who died during the rescue operation.Mr Bush, accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush, observed the memorial silences at a fire station among colleagues of the hundreds of fire-fighters who died during the rescue operation.
He later attended a ceremony at a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed to the ground after passengers tried to retake the aircraft.He later attended a ceremony at a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed to the ground after passengers tried to retake the aircraft.
A memorial ceremony was also held at the Pentagon, where 184 people died when a third hijacked plane ploughed into the building.A memorial ceremony was also held at the Pentagon, where 184 people died when a third hijacked plane ploughed into the building.
Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's voice cracked with emotion as he paid tribute to Pentagon colleagues and servicemen who had been on the front line of US "war on terror" in the five years since the attacks.Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's voice cracked with emotion as he paid tribute to Pentagon colleagues and servicemen who had been on the front line of US "war on terror" in the five years since the attacks.
After laying a wreath there later, Mr Bush struggled to hold back his tears as he met relatives of the dead.After laying a wreath there later, Mr Bush struggled to hold back his tears as he met relatives of the dead.