Associated Press . Manama, Bahrain

Facing another decision about US troop numbers in Iraq by spring, the US president, George Bush, on Saturday said it is 'fine with me' if generals recommend no more cuts than those planned to drop the force level to about 1,30,000.

Bush also commended Iraq's parliament for passing legislation reinstating thousands of former supporters of Saddam Hussein's now-dissolved Baath party to government jobs.

'It is an important step toward reconciliation,' Bush said, after more than a year of prodding by the United States for action on the legislation. 'It is an important sign that the leaders of that country understand that they must work together to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people.'

Bush made the remarks during a meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.

'I know you have been concerned about Iraq and the politics of Iraq,' Bush told the king. The president said he was pleased to inform the monarch about the passage of the law.

'I come with an upbeat message, a hopeful message - a message that will prevail here in the Middle East,' said Bush, the first sitting US president to visit Bahrain, an oil-rich nation in the Persian Gulf. Bush invited the king to visit him in Washington.

Bush, travelling for the next few days among Sunni Arab-ruled states jittery about the rising influence and ambitions of Shia-majority Iran, again put Tehran on notice during remarks earlier Saturday in Kuwait.

 

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