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Bush says US can succeed in Iraq Bush says US can succeed in Iraq
(30 minutes later)
President George W Bush has insisted the US mission in Iraq can still succeed, saying it was vital for the security of the US and the Middle East. President George W Bush has said the US mission in Iraq can still succeed, after a report found Iraq had made mixed progress towards key US targets.
He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, adding that to do so early would risk handing Iraq over to al-Qaeda. Mr Bush said he found cause for optimism in some of the report, particularly in the field of security.
Mr Bush was speaking after an interim report said Iraq's progress towards meeting goals set by the US was mixed. But he conceded Iraq had "much more work to do" to meet political and economic goals.
The president said he saw some of the findings as "cause for optimism".
The report comes amid growing pressure in Congress on the Bush administration to change course in Iraq.The report comes amid growing pressure in Congress on the Bush administration to change course in Iraq.
Mr Bush cautioned that the report was only interim, and said he would only make a decision on US strategy on Iraq once the final report is released in September.
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Bush said the US "can succeed in Iraq and I know we must".
He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, adding that to do so early would risk handing Iraq over to al-Qaeda.
Mixed results
The report, ordered by Congress, says Baghdad has had more military than political success since a US troop surge began in January.
It says Iraq has made satisfactory progress towards meeting eight targets, but has not done so regarding another eight.
KEY BENCHMARKS Amend constitution to tackle regional issuesGive jobs to former ruling party membersPass new law on sharing oil resourcesSecurity forces to be even-handed Benchmarks in full Politicians ponder moveKEY BENCHMARKS Amend constitution to tackle regional issuesGive jobs to former ruling party membersPass new law on sharing oil resourcesSecurity forces to be even-handed Benchmarks in full Politicians ponder move
The report says Baghdad has had more military than political success since a US troop surge began in January. Baghdad has shown mixed results in its progress towards meeting another two goals, it says.
It says Iraq has made satisfactory progress towards meeting eight targets, but less so towards another eight.
The report says Baghdad has shown mixed results in its progress towards meeting another two goals.
The BBC's Washington correspondent Matt Frei says it is not yet clear whether the report will help or hinder the administration in its efforts to limit a Republican rebellion in Congress that might force the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.The BBC's Washington correspondent Matt Frei says it is not yet clear whether the report will help or hinder the administration in its efforts to limit a Republican rebellion in Congress that might force the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
The Senate is expected to vote next week on amendments to the military budget, which could force cuts in troop numbers.The Senate is expected to vote next week on amendments to the military budget, which could force cuts in troop numbers.
In May, the House passed a bill to immediately release some $43bn (£21.8bn) of funding requested by Mr Bush for the war in Iraq.In May, the House passed a bill to immediately release some $43bn (£21.8bn) of funding requested by Mr Bush for the war in Iraq.
It also earmarked $53bn for release only if progress was made towards the political and military benchmarks.It also earmarked $53bn for release only if progress was made towards the political and military benchmarks.
US Democrats want a timetable for withdrawal or a change in the focus of the US mission from combat to counter-terrorism and the training of Iraqi forces.US Democrats want a timetable for withdrawal or a change in the focus of the US mission from combat to counter-terrorism and the training of Iraqi forces.
Some Republicans have joined the ranks of those calling for a phased troop withdrawal.Some Republicans have joined the ranks of those calling for a phased troop withdrawal.
Mr Bush has said he will veto any bill on a pull-out timetable.Mr Bush has said he will veto any bill on a pull-out timetable.