Bush makes surprise Iraq visit

President Bush
made a surprise visit to Iraq Sunday, his fourth and probably last trip to the
war-torn country that will play a major role in determining his legacy.

Bush met with President
Jalal Talabani, who praised his U.S. counterpart for helping to “liberate our
country and to reach this day, which we have democracy, human rights and prosperity
gradually in our country.”

{mosads}Talabani expressed
his hope that he will continue his friendship with Bush after the president
retires to Texas.

Bush said he was
not only there to visit but also to “herald the passage” of the recently agreed
upon Strategic Framework Agreement and the Status of Forces Agreement.

The U.S. and the Iraqi governments this month came to an agreement that American
troops would leave populated areas by the end of June of next year and
completely withdraw from the country, except for the purposes of fighting
terrorists, by the end of 2011.

“The work hasn’t
been easy, but it has been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope and
world peace,” Bush said of the progress in the country.

The president
also stated that he was “grateful” to get the chance to return to the country before
the end of his presidency.