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Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq
(41 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is making an unannounced visit to Iraq ahead of his visit to Australia for an economic summit with Asia-Pacific leaders. US President George W Bush is making an unannounced visit to Iraq for a meeting with key advisers.
He arrived at al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad, accompanied by the US National Security Adviser, Stephen Hadley. He arrived at al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad, accompanied by US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.
Mr Bush is expected to use the visit to argue his case that the build-up of US troops is helping to stabilise Iraq.Mr Bush is expected to use the visit to argue his case that the build-up of US troops is helping to stabilise Iraq.
The US commander in Iraq and the US envoy to Iraq will deliver a report on the surge to Congress later this month. The US military commander and the US ambassador in Iraq will deliver a keenly-anticipated report on the US troop surge to Congress this month.
Correspondents say the next two weeks will be critical for the current US surge strategy in Iraq and the debate in Washington is intensifying. Correspondents say the next two weeks will be critical for the current US surge strategy in Iraq, with debate intensifying in Washington about possible ways forward.
The BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says the president's decision to land in Anbar province is significant because it has often been referred to as the centre of the Sunni insurgency. Secrecy
However, the US now believes it has achieved great success reducing the threat from Sunni Arab militant groups, such as al-Qaeda in Iraq, mainly because many local tribes have turned against them, our correspondent says. The last time Mr Bush was in Iraq was more than a year ago.
Several imams have been killed for supporting US-led forces and preaching against al-Qaeda in Iraq at Friday prayers. Mr Maliki travelled to Anbar for just the third time since taking office
Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability.
He stopped unannounced Monday en route to a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders, and it is understood that at no time will Mr Bush leave the airbase.
The BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says Mr Bush's decision to land in Anbar province is significant.
Anbar has often been referred to as the centre of the Sunni insurgency, but the US now believes it has greatly reduced the threat from Sunni Arab militant groups, such as al-Qaeda in Iraq, our correspondent says.
Several imams have been killed for supporting US-led forces and preaching against al-Qaeda in Iraq at Friday prayers, and many local tribes have turned against the insurgents, he adds.
Surge report
In an extraordinary move, Iraq's senior political leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and President Jalal Talabani, travelled into Anbar to meet Mr Bush.
For Mr Maliki, a Shia, it is only the third time since becoming prime minister that he has visited the Sunni-dominated province.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived ahead of Mr Bush for talks with senior US officials including the head of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the US ambassador, Ryan Crocker.
In mid-September Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker are due to deliver a full progress report to Congress on the situation in Iraq, focusing particularly on the effect of the surge.
Mr Bush has previously said he will be guided by the advice of his generals while making decision about future policy towards Iraq.
Correspondents say the widespread assumption in Washington is that the views of Gen Petraeus will be particularly influential.
Basra withdrawal
Mr Bush's visit came as British forces in southern Iraq said they had finished pulling back troops from Basra palace to the city's airport, marking the end of a physical British military presence in the city.
A total of 5,550 UK troops, together with their vehicles, are now located at the airport outside the city. The palace base is now under Iraqi control.
The BBC's Andrew North, in Baghdad, says the British military is keen to put the best face on this move.
A British forces spokesman said this is a milestone in the process of handing over to Iraqi control with the transfer of all of Basra province due by the end of the year.
Local residents though have said they now fear a political and security vacuum in the city, which powerful and competing militias and criminal gangs will seek to fill.