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Bush says US can succeed in Iraq Bush says US can succeed in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
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.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.
Mr Bush said he found cause for optimism in some of the report, particularly in the field of security.Mr Bush said he found cause for optimism in some of the report, particularly in the field of security.
But he conceded Iraq had "much more work to do" to meet political and economic goals.But he conceded Iraq had "much more work to do" to meet political and economic goals.
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.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.
Withdrawal 'risk'
Speaking at a news conference, Mr Bush said the US "can succeed in Iraq and I know we must".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He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, adding that to do so early would risk handing Iraq over to al-Qaeda. He said troops would only be withdrawn when conditions were right, "not because pollsters say it'll be good politics".
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 move Mr Bush said pulling troops out too soon "would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to al-Qaeda".
"It would mean increasing the probability that American troops would have to return at some later date to confront an enemy that is even more dangerous," he added.
President Bush also singled out Iran, Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, accusing them of fomenting violence in Iraq.
Iran, he said, was supplying improvised explosive devices to militants there; Hezbollah was training militants to attack coalition forces in Iraq; and Syria was providing a route for suicide bombers heading for the country.
Mixed resultsMixed results
The report, ordered by Congress, says Baghdad has had more military than political success since a US troop surge began in January. The interim Iraq report, ordered by Congress, says Baghdad has had more military than political success since a US troop surge began in February.
It says Iraq has made satisfactory progress towards meeting eight targets, but has not done so regarding another eight.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 move
Baghdad has shown mixed results in its progress towards meeting another two goals, it says.Baghdad has shown mixed results in its progress towards meeting another two goals, it says.
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.