President Bush Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq

Sept. 3- AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq, President Bush made a surprise visit to this isolated air base located in the Anbar Province. During his more than 7 hour visit President Bush received an update on the war from General David H. Petraeus the U.S. Commander, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. After the update on the war President Bush then met with Iraqi political leaders and Sunni tribal figures who have allied with the U.S.

Mondays meeting included top leaders of both sides of the Iraqi- U.S. war council. During the visit, Bush confirmed that the United States would not abandon Iraq but warned that progress in reducing violence here must be solidified with political action by the central government. Bush acknowledged that "the challenges are great" and that the pace of progress overall remains "frustrating" both for Iraqis and for Americans.