Bush regrets not bringing bin Laden to justice

Though he has averted a repeat of the 9/11 in the US, President George W Bush regrets that he could not bring terror mastermind Osama bin Laden to justice during his tenure.

Though he has averted a repeat of the 9/11 in the US, President George W Bush regrets that he could not bring terror mastermind Osama bin Laden to justice during his tenure.

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"I wish we had brought Osama bin Laden to justice, sure. But he's not leading a lot of parades these days," Bush said in an interview to ABC News when asked whether he imagined ending his presidency next month without capturing bin Laden.

However, Bush, now on his farewell visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, noted that the US forces have inflicted "great damage" on al Qaeda's infrastructure in countries like Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We have done great damage to al-Qaeda. We have denied them safe havens, a safe haven in Iraq. We are pursuing them in Pakistan. We have got them on the run. We're keeping the pressure on them full time," he said.

Bush, who will bow out of office on January 20 after two consecutive four-year term, said one of the most important parts of his job because of 9/11 was to defend the security of the American people.

"There have been no attacks since I have been president, since 9/11," he noted.