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Bush warns of dangers from Iran Bush warns of dangers from Iran
(20 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has warned of the dangers he says are posed by Iran, in a speech in its Gulf neighbour, the United Arab Emirates.US President George W Bush has warned of the dangers he says are posed by Iran, in a speech in its Gulf neighbour, the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Bush said Iran "threatens the security of nations everywhere", and that the US was rallying friends to confront it "before it's too late".Mr Bush said Iran "threatens the security of nations everywhere", and that the US was rallying friends to confront it "before it's too late".
He was giving a speech in Abu Dhabi on the latest leg of his Middle East tour.He was giving a speech in Abu Dhabi on the latest leg of his Middle East tour.
He praised the UAE for its economic and social progress, and urged other Middle Eastern nations to take up democracy.He praised the UAE for its economic and social progress, and urged other Middle Eastern nations to take up democracy.
He told delegates at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) that more open societies would foster the Middle East's immense "human capital".He told delegates at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) that more open societies would foster the Middle East's immense "human capital".
Earlier in Kuwait, Mr Bush said the US was still on target to withdraw some 20,000 troops out of Iraq by July. He said there had been advances in the region, but also setbacks. Without fair elections and freedom of speech, "you cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future", he added.
He said hope was returning across Iraq, with the US troop surge last year bringing greater security, but added that nothing could be taken for granted.
The president later travelled to Bahrain, where the US Navy's Fifth Fleet is based. He met some of the sailors whose ships the US says were confronted by Iranian speedboats last weekend.
'Freedom agenda'
In Abu Dhabi, Mr Bush met the emirate's ruler, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nuhayyan.
Mr Bush has seemed more nuanced in his statements on this trip than he perhaps has in the past - he also seems to have a firm grip of the issues as he sees them Matthew PriceBBC correspondent Middle East tour diaryMr Bush has seemed more nuanced in his statements on this trip than he perhaps has in the past - he also seems to have a firm grip of the issues as he sees them Matthew PriceBBC correspondent Middle East tour diary
The president was also addressing the Middle East peace process, trying to encourage support from his Gulf Arab allies. He also reached out to the people of Iran.
In particular, Mr Bush is attempting to persuade them to back Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as he negotiates with the Israelis. "You're rich in culture and talent. You have the right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families," he said.
However, he repeated his allegation that currently, Iran was "the world's leading state sponsor of terror", funnelling arms and funds to militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, the Taleban and Shia fighters in Iraq.
He said Iran had defied the United Nations and destabilised the region by failing to be transparent about its nuclear programme.
Earlier in the day, during a visit to Bahrain, President Bush met some of the sailors whose ships the US says were confronted by Iranian speedboats last weekend.
Palestinian issue
In his speech Mr Bush also addressed the Middle East peace process, trying to encourage support from his Gulf Arab allies.
In particular, he is attempting to persuade them to back Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as he negotiates with the Israelis.
While visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Thursday, he said Israel must end its occupation of some Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state.While visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Thursday, he said Israel must end its occupation of some Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation.He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation.
Earlier in Kuwait, Mr Bush said the US was still on target to withdraw some 20,000 troops out of Iraq by July.
He said hope was returning across Iraq, with the US troop surge last year bringing greater security, but added that nothing could be taken for granted.