Bush says Iraqi government can defeat insurgents

US President George W. Bush said at a press conference on Tuesday that the new Iraqi government will be up to the task of defeating the insurgents.

"I think the Iraqi government will be up to the task of defeating the insurgents. I think the Iraqi people dealt the insurgents a serious blow when they had the elections," Bush said.

"I believe that the Iraqi government's going to be plenty capable of dealing with them, and our job is to help train them so that they can," he said.

Bush said that he was heartened to see the Iraqi government announce 40,000 Iraqi troops are well-trained enough to help secure Baghdad.

"That was a very positive sign. It's a sign that the Iraqi leaders understand they are responsible for their security, ultimately, and that our job is to help them take on that responsibility," Bush said.

Bush also vowed to finish the mission in Iraq "because a free Iraq is in our nation's long-term interests."

Source: Xinhua