U.S. President George W. Bush said Thursday that progress was being made on a plan to change the administration's policy on Iraq.

"We're making good progress toward coming up with a plan that we think will help us achieve our objective," he said at his ranch at Crawford, Texas, after meeting with his national security team.

He said it was important for the American people to understand that "success in Iraq is vital for our own security."

Bush said if the United States did not succeed in Iraq, "the enemy, the extremists, the radicals would have safe haven from which to launch further attacks" and "would be in a position to threaten the United States of America."

Attendance at Thursday's meeting were Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, national security adviser Stephen Hadley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General Peter Pace, and other top officials.

"The key to success in Iraq is to have a government that's willing to deal with the elements there that are trying to prevent this young democracy from succeeding. We want to help them succeed, " Bush said as the meeting concluded.

Bush said he would have more consultation before he was to announce a policy change in January next year.

Source: Xinhua