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Iraq PM hits back at US criticism Iraq PM hits back at US criticism
(about 2 hours later)
Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki has rejected US criticism of his administration, saying "no-one has the right to place timetables" on its performance.Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki has rejected US criticism of his administration, saying "no-one has the right to place timetables" on its performance.
Mr Maliki blamed the US presidential election campaign for many of the "discourteous" comments.Mr Maliki blamed the US presidential election campaign for many of the "discourteous" comments.
Speaking at the end of a visit to Syria he said Iraq would pay no attention and could "find friends elsewhere".Speaking at the end of a visit to Syria he said Iraq would pay no attention and could "find friends elsewhere".
On Tuesday, US President George W Bush appeared to distance himself for the first time from Mr Maliki's government.On Tuesday, US President George W Bush appeared to distance himself for the first time from Mr Maliki's government.
Mr Bush said the people of Iraq had made a great step towards reconciliation.Mr Bush said the people of Iraq had made a great step towards reconciliation.
If the government doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government US President George Bush Why the US is unhappy Crash kills 14 US soldiersIf the government doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government US President George Bush Why the US is unhappy Crash kills 14 US soldiers
However he added that there was "a certain level of frustration with the leadership" of Mr Maliki and that his government now had to perform.However he added that there was "a certain level of frustration with the leadership" of Mr Maliki and that his government now had to perform.
"If the government doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government - that's up the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians," he said."If the government doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government - that's up the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians," he said.
Mr Bush's comments came after the US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, said political progress in Iraq had been "extremely disappointing".Mr Bush's comments came after the US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, said political progress in Iraq had been "extremely disappointing".
On Monday, the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Carl Levin, urged the Iraqi parliament to evict Mr Maliki's government and replace it with one considered less sectarian.On Monday, the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Carl Levin, urged the Iraqi parliament to evict Mr Maliki's government and replace it with one considered less sectarian.
In other news in Iraq:In other news in Iraq:
  • Fourteen US soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in northern Iraq. The military said a mechanical fault was to blame.
  • Fourteen US soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in northern Iraq. The military said a mechanical fault was to blame.
  • At least 20 people were killed and 50 injured when a suicide bomber rammed a fuel tanker into a police station in the northern oil city of Baiji.
  • At least 20 people were killed and 50 injured when a suicide bomber rammed a fuel tanker into a police station in the northern oil city of Baiji.
  • The deputy US commander in Iraq told the BBC that the US has recruited 20,000 civilian volunteers to act as local police in sensitive areas of the country.
  • The deputy US commander in Iraq told the BBC that the US has recruited 20,000 civilian volunteers to act as local police in sensitive areas of the country.
    • 'Discourteous''Discourteous'
    Speaking after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari in Damascus, Mr Maliki rejected US criticism of his leadership and his administration's performance.Speaking after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari in Damascus, Mr Maliki rejected US criticism of his leadership and his administration's performance.
    We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki Damascus welcomes Iraqi PM Volunteer force recruitedWe care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki Damascus welcomes Iraqi PM Volunteer force recruited
    "No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people," he said."No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people," he said.
    "Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere," he added."Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere," he added.
    Later on Wednesday, President Bush is due to make a speech at the convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars, in which he is expected to say the battle in Iraq is as vital as earlier US campaigns and will once again call for perseverance.
    He will say that although there are many differences between the conflicts in Iraq and Vietnam, "they are all ideological struggles", according to excerpts released by the White House.
    Officials said Mr Bush's speech was part of an attempt to provide "broader context" to the debate on Iraq ahead of a crucial administration assessment in mid-September of the current surge strategy of boosting US troop numbers in Iraq.