U.S. President George W. Bush, confronted face to face by a critic, said on Thursday he will not apologize for his decision to authorize the domestic spying program.

The confrontation took place at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, North Carolina, where the president took questions from the audience after delivering a speech defending his war policy.

The challenger, identified himself as Harry Taylor, told Bush that he has never felt more ashamed of the leadership of his country.

He said Bush has asserted his right to authorize domestic eavesdropping on U.S. citizens, to arrest people and hold them without charges and to revoke a woman's right to an abortion and so on.

"I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and grace to be ashamed of yourself, " Taylor said.

Saying he authorized the program to protect the country, Bush responded, "You said would I apologize for that? The answer is absolutely not."

In his speech, the president acknowledged the concerns of Americans that Iraqis will not be able to take control of their violence-torn country.

But Bush again defended his decision to go to war in Iraq, saying it was important that he follow up his words with action when Saddam Hussein refused to cooperate with the United Nations.

Outside the auditorium, hundreds of protestors held an anti- Bush rally.

They chanted, "Do your job!" and held signs with phrases such as "Liar" and "Worst President Ever."

The speech was part of the White House's ongoing campaign aimed to boost support for Bush and his policy, at a time when the president faces weakening poll numbers, an increasingly unpopular war in Iraq and a rebellion in his own party over issues such as immigration reform.

Source: Xinhua