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Bush holds 'war council' in Iraq Bush holds 'war council' in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush has met senior US and Iraqi officials at a US air base in Anbar province in Iraq.US President George W Bush has met senior US and Iraqi officials at a US air base in Anbar province in Iraq.
The talks at al-Asad air base were attended by the US secretary of state, defence secretary, the US ambassador to Iraq and the head of US forces there.The talks at al-Asad air base were attended by the US secretary of state, defence secretary, the US ambassador to Iraq and the head of US forces there.
They were joined by Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki and other senior Iraqis.They were joined by Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki and other senior Iraqis.
Addressing troops, Mr Bush said his top officials had told him that security levels could be maintained with fewer troops if current successes continue. Mr Bush is facing pressure at home for a US withdrawal, but he insisted any pull out will only result from a "calm assessment" by leaders on the ground.
However, Mr Bush made no specific reference to how much troop numbers could be cut or any possible timetable for withdrawal. This is the last big gathering of the president's military advisers and the Iraqi leadership before the president decides on the way forward Geoff MorrellPentagon spokesman "Those decisions will be based on a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground, not a nervous reaction by Washington politicians to poll results in the media," said Mr Bush, addressing troops at the base on the US Labor Day holiday.
"America does not abandon its friends. America will not abandon the Iraqi people," Mr Bush added in his speech. "In other words when we begin to draw down troops from Iraq it will be from a position of strength and success, not from a position of fear and failure."
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 White House 'anger'
The meeting in Anbar, which a Pentagon official called a "war council", comes just days before a key report to Congress on how Mr Bush's surge strategy is faring. Speaking to reporters earlier, Mr Bush said his top officials had advised him that if current successes continue, security levels could be maintained with fewer troops.
"He's assembled essentially his war council here and they are all meeting with Iraqi leaders to discuss the way forward," Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman travelling with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, said. However, he made no specific reference to how much troop numbers could be cut or any possible timetable for withdrawal, adding: "America does not abandon its friends. America will not abandon the Iraqi people".
Correspondents say the next two weeks will be critical for the US surge strategy in Iraq, with debate intensifying in Washington about possible ways to proceed. The BBC's Matt Frei in Washington says the comment could have been a reference to UK forces who on the same day that Mr Bush was visiting Anbar withdrew their last troops from inside the southern city of Basra.
A total of 5,550 UK troops are now located at the airport outside Basra and their Basra Palace base is under Iraqi control.
Although the Bush administration has not publicly criticised the British, our correspondent says that in private officials are annoyed and say the move is not good for a White House which feels increasingly isolated.
The meeting in Anbar, which a Pentagon official called a "war council", comes just days before a key report on how Mr Bush's surge strategy is faring.
On 10 and 11 September, the head of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the US ambassador, Ryan Crocker, are due to report to Congress on the situation in Iraq, focusing particularly on the effect of the surge, which reached full levels in June.
SecrecySecrecy
The last time Mr Bush was in Iraq was more than a year ago. The president was accompanied on his visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the US national security adviser, Steven Hadley.
Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived ahead of Mr Bush for talks with senior US officials including Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker.
He stopped unannounced on board Air Force One en route to a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Australia and it is understood that at no time will Mr Bush leave the remote desert airbase during his visit. "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 said.
Mr Maliki travelled to Anbar for just the third time since taking office"This is very much a decisional meeting. This meeting will put him much closer to a decision if he hasn't made one yet."
In an extraordinary move, Iraq's senior leaders, including Prime Minister Maliki and President Jalal Talabani, travelled to Anbar to meet Mr Bush.
For Mr Maliki, a Shia, it was only his third visit to the Sunni-dominated province.
The last time Mr Bush was in Iraq was more than a year ago. Now, as then, the surprise trip was shrouded in secrecy because of the ongoing instability.
He stopped unannounced on board Air Force One en route to a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Australia and remained on the heavily protected air base for the duration of his visit.
The BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says Mr Bush's decision to land in Anbar province is significant. 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.The BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says Mr Bush's decision to land in Anbar province is significant. 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 report
In an extraordinary move, Iraq's senior leaders, including Prime Minister 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.
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.
The president was accompanied by Secretary of State Condoleezza 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," spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
"This is very much a decisional meeting. This meeting will put him much closer to a decision if he hasn't made one yet."
Training complaint
Next week, on 10 and 11 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 decisions about future policy towards Iraq.
Correspondents say the widespread assumption in Washington is that the views of Gen Petraeus will be particularly influential.
As Mr Bush arrived at the desert base he was greeted by US troops and spoke to them about their duties.
One officer spoke to the president about their recent successes against militants in the region, but complained that "training at home has been very limited" and that there is insufficient leave time at home in between tours.
"The stress is very hard on the families," he said.
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 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 Basra. The palace base is now under Iraqi control.
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.
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.