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Bush speech backs Iraq strategy Bush speech backs Iraq strategy
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is giving the first in a series of speeches defending his strategy in the "war on terror", as mid-term polls approach.US President George W Bush is giving the first in a series of speeches defending his strategy in the "war on terror", as mid-term polls approach.
Mr Bush, addressing military veterans in Salt Lake City, Utah, said Iraq was the "central front" in the fight against terorism.Mr Bush, addressing military veterans in Salt Lake City, Utah, said Iraq was the "central front" in the fight against terorism.
He predicted "victory for the cause of freedom and liberty" in a "decisive ideological struggle" with Islamists.He predicted "victory for the cause of freedom and liberty" in a "decisive ideological struggle" with Islamists.
He is to speak several times on Iraq and security in the next two weeks.He is to speak several times on Iraq and security in the next two weeks.
Correspondents say his Republican party fears unease over the Iraq war could damage their standing in coming polls.Correspondents say his Republican party fears unease over the Iraq war could damage their standing in coming polls.
BBC correspondent James Westhead says the White House is thought to be trying shift attention from the unpopular war in Iraq to the global terror threat.BBC correspondent James Westhead says the White House is thought to be trying shift attention from the unpopular war in Iraq to the global terror threat.
He says the threat remains a politically potent issue, and one over which the president has the backing of much of the US public.He says the threat remains a politically potent issue, and one over which the president has the backing of much of the US public.
Iran condemnedIran condemned
Mr Bush said Islamist groups held "the rigid conviction that free societies are a threat to their twisted view of Islam".Mr Bush said Islamist groups held "the rigid conviction that free societies are a threat to their twisted view of Islam".
US servicemen and women were showing great courage in defending freedom in what he termed "the first war of the 21st Century".US servicemen and women were showing great courage in defending freedom in what he termed "the first war of the 21st Century".
If the US did not confront terrorists in places like Iraq, Mr Bush said, then they would face them within the US.If the US did not confront terrorists in places like Iraq, Mr Bush said, then they would face them within the US.
He denied there was a civil war in the country.
The president also condemned the government of Iran, which he said was supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah and defying the international community with its nuclear activities.The president also condemned the government of Iran, which he said was supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah and defying the international community with its nuclear activities.
"We must not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon," he said. "It is time for Iran to make a choice. We've made our choice - we will continue to work closely with our allies to make a diplomatic solution, but there must be consequences for Iran's defiance and we must not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon."
Mr Bush's two-week-long series of speeches on the "war on terror" coincides with the anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks and culminates in an address to the United Nations on 19 September.Mr Bush's two-week-long series of speeches on the "war on terror" coincides with the anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks and culminates in an address to the United Nations on 19 September.
The US is to hold mid-term polls on 7 November.The US is to hold mid-term polls on 7 November.