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Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is making an unannounced visit to Iraq for a meeting with key advisers.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 US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. He arrived at al-Assad air base, in western Anbar province, along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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 military commander and the US ambassador in Iraq will deliver a keenly-anticipated report on the US troop surge to Congress 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 next week.
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. Correspondents say the next two weeks will be critical for the US surge strategy in Iraq, with debate intensifying in Washington about possible ways forward.
SecrecySecrecy
The last time Mr Bush was in Iraq was more than a year ago.The last time Mr Bush was in Iraq was more than a year ago.
Mr Maliki travelled to Anbar for just the third time since taking office This is the last big gathering of the president's military advisers and the Iraqi leadership before the president decides on the way forward Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability.
Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability. He stopped unannounced en route to a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Australia and it is understood that at no time will Mr Bush leave the Anbar airbase during his visit.
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.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. Anbar, west of Baghdad, 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.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 reportSurge 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. In an extraordinary move, Iraq's senior political leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and President Jalal Talabani, travelled to 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.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. Mr Maliki travelled to Anbar for just the third time since taking officeUS 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. The president was accompanied by Ms Rice and the US national security adviser, Steven Hadley.
"This is the last big gathering of the president's military advisers and the Iraqi leadership before the president decides on the way forward," said Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman travelling with Mr Gates.
"This is very much a decisional meeting. This meeting will put him much closer to a decision if he hasn't made one yet."
Next week, 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.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.Correspondents say the widespread assumption in Washington is that the views of Gen Petraeus will be particularly influential.
Basra withdrawalBasra 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. Mr Bush's visit came as British forces in southern Iraq said they had finished pulling back troops from Basra palace to the 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. A total of 5,550 UK troops, together with their vehicles, are now located at the airport outside Basra. 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 it was 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.
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.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.