'Troop reduction in Iraq decision of commanders'

Giving a positive outcome of the ongoing Iraq war, President George W Bush on Wednesday said any troop reduction would be as a result of recommendation by commanders on the ground and not on account of politics.

Giving a positive outcome of the ongoing Iraq war, President George W Bush on Wednesday said any troop reduction would be as a result of recommendation by commanders on the ground and not on account of politics.

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The President met his top military commanders for the first time this year at the Pentagon discussing a range of issues with the US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad also participating.

"There's a lot of work to be done in this war on terror," Bush said. "But the American people can be rest assured this administration understands the task, and understands the challenges and understands our obligation to protect you, to protect the American people."

The President conferred with top military commanders, including the top Pentagon official in Iraq John Abizaid, chief of Central Command, and Lt Gen Martin Dempsey, the commander in charge of training and equipping the Iraqi military and police.

"We talked about the areas of concern in this global war on terror, recognizing that the enemy, which has an ideology of hate and a desire to kill, lurks in parts around the world," Bush said.

"I assured those generals that this administration will do everything in our power to bring these enemies to justice."

Bush said that his commanders had told him that the work of the Iraqis was "superb" and that local troops were responsible for the security of the recently concluded election.