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Hard Iraq choices loom, says Bush Hard Iraq choices loom, says Bush
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said the conflict in Iraq will require "difficult choices and additional sacrifices" in the coming year.US President George W Bush has said the conflict in Iraq will require "difficult choices and additional sacrifices" in the coming year.
Mr Bush called for an increase in the size of the US military, but he said he had not yet decided whether to boost troop numbers in Iraq.Mr Bush called for an increase in the size of the US military, but he said he had not yet decided whether to boost troop numbers in Iraq.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Bush said the US "will ask more of our Iraqi partners" in 2007. He spoke as new US Defence Secretary Robert Gates began his first visit to Iraq, two days after taking office.
Mr Bush is expected to announce a new strategy for Iraq next month.Mr Bush is expected to announce a new strategy for Iraq next month.
The president said 2006 had been a "difficult year" for the US military and the Iraqi people, noting that insurgents had thwarted US efforts at "establishing security and stability throughout the country". 'No let-up'
But he said the "safety and security of citizens requires that we do not let up". The president said 2006 had been a "difficult year" for the US military and the Iraqi people, and said the US "will ask more of our Iraqi partners" in 2007.
He admitted that insurgents had thwarted US efforts to stabilise the country, but he said the "safety and security of citizens requires that we do not let up".
Mr Bush said the US was "looking at all options", including increasing troop numbers in Iraq.Mr Bush said the US was "looking at all options", including increasing troop numbers in Iraq.
But he said in order to do so, "there must be a specific mission that can be accomplished with more troops".But he said in order to do so, "there must be a specific mission that can be accomplished with more troops".
Mr Bush's remarks come days after a Pentagon report said attacks on US and Iraqi troops and civilians had reached their highest level since June 2004, when an Iraqi interim government was created. Mr Bush voiced confidence in his new defence secretary, saying Mr Gates will be "an important voice in the Iraq strategy review".
Mr Gates is meeting military commanders and Iraqi politicians for advice to help Mr Bush formulate his new policy.
The president's remarks come days after a Pentagon report said attacks on US and Iraqi troops and civilians had reached their highest level since June 2004, when an Iraqi interim government was created.
Handover
The US military meanwhile has handed over security of Iraq's Najaf province, south of the capital Baghdad, to government forces.
Najaf is the third province to come under Iraqi security control.
The senior US commander at the ceremony, Maj Gen Kurt Cichowski, said the handover was a sign of the growing capability of Iraq's security forces.