President George Bush, seeking to bolster support for Iraq's fledgling government and US war policy at home, has made a surprise visit to Iraq.

It was a dramatic move by Bush on Tuesday, traveling to violence-rattled Baghdad less than a week after the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, in a bombing attack.

Bush assured the Iraqi people that the US stands with them and their new government.

"It's in our interest that Iraq succeed," he said, seated alongside Nouri al-Maliki, the new Iraqi prime minister.

Al-Maliki, who didn't know Bush was coming until five minutes before they met, said that Iraq was "determined to succeed, and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the hardships."

"God willing, all the suffering will be over. And all the soldiers will return to their country with our gratitude for what they have offered, the sacrifice," al-Maliki said through a translator.

Military presence

Bush made it clear, however, that a US military presence - now at about 132,000 troops - would continue for a while.

"I have expressed our country's desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands," Bush said.

Bush said he was "impressed with the cabinet you have assembled".

Bush met with al-Maliki in heavily fortified green zone at a palace once used by the deposed president, Saddam Hussein. It now serves temporarily as the US embassy.

Top secret 

The trip, expected to last a little more than five hours, was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of reporters sworn to secrecy.

The administration hoped the death of al-Zarqawi and the completion of al-Maliki's cabinet would make war-weary Americans look at Iraq in a more positive light.

Aside from al-Maliki and his cabinet, Bush was to see Jalal Talibani, Iraq's largely ceremonial president.

Bush was also to meet with the speaker of the parliament, national political leaders and US troops.

Photo Caption

US president George W Bush and Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki