Bush: Troops to boost Baghdad security

3:05 p.m.

President Bush said today that a U.S. military program to bolster Iraqi security forces in Baghdad will better address the violence there as he pledged to stand by Iraq’s new democratic government.

“Obviously the violence in Baghdad is still terrible,” Mr. Bush said during a joint White House news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Bush had praised Mr. al-Maliki’s signature program to improve Baghdad security during their last meeting in Baghdad in June.

Mr. Bush complimented the beleaguered leader for his courage and perseverance in the face of sectarian violence.

“He comes wondering whether or not we are committed. He hears all kinds of things coming out of the United States,” Mr. Bush said, “and I assured him that this government stands by the Iraqi people.”

Standing beside Mr. Bush during his first visit to Washington as prime minister, Mr. al-Maliki reiterated his call for an immediate end to hostilities between the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Israel.

“I also emphasized the importance of immediate cease-fire and call on international community to support the Lebanese government, to support the Lebanese people to overcome the damage and destruction that happened,” Mr. al-Maliki said.

The Bush administration opposes an immediate cease-fire, which Mr. Bush says would only lead to more violence in the future. “I told him I support a sustainable cease-fire that will bring about an end to violence,” Mr. Bush said.

The president added that he is concerned about Lebanese civilians killed and harmed by the Israeli assault.

Israel says it is targeting what it calls terrorist strongholds in Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods and towns.

On Capitol Hill, where Mr. al-Maliki is to address Congress tomorrow, some lawmakers threatened to boycott the speech because the Iraqi leader has condemned Israel’s attacks in Lebanon.

Mr. Bush said that improved military conditions outside Baghdad will make it possible to move U.S. military police and other forces to the capital, where an estimated 100 people a day are being killed. The crimes, blamed largely on sectarian death squads, usually go unsolved.

“He believes and I believe that there needs to be more forces inside Baghdad who are willing to hold people to account,” Mr. Bush said.

Mr. al-Maliki said the most important element of a new security program “is to curb the religious violence.”

Iraq’s government must have a policy that “there is no killing and discrimination against anyone,” Mr. al-Maliki said through a translator.

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