President Bush defended his decision to invade Iraq, telling the United Nations Tuesday that it "helped to deliver the Iraqi people from an outlaw dictator."
His speech to the U.N. General Assembly appealed to the world community to join together in supporting the new Iraqi interim government.
Bush spoke shortly after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the 191-nation gathering with a warning that the "rule of law" is at risk around the world. "No one is above the law," Annan said. He condemned the taking and killing of hostages in Iraq, but also said Iraqi prisoners had been disgracefully abused by U.S. soldiers.
Bush told the U.N. session that "terrorists" believe that "suicide and murder are justified ...And they act on their beliefs."
Bush urged the international organization to help with the reconstruction of Iraq. "The U.N. and its member nations must respond to Prime Minister Allawi's request and do more to help build an Iraq that is secure, democratic, federal and free," he said.
"A democratic Iraq has ruthless enemies," Bush added, asserting that "a terrorist group associated with Al Qaeda is now one of the main groups killing the innocent in Iraq today, conducting a campaign of bombings against civilians and the beheadings of bound men." (albawaba.com)
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