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Is the US acting as a sole superpower by snubbing UN? Post your views

Washington: Acknowledging that the US faces a "massive and long-term undertaking" in Iraq, US President George W Bush has said American forces are "engaged in remnants of the former regime as well as members of terrorist groups".

In a Rose Garden speech marking the 30th anniversary of the end of the military draft on July 1, Bush said, "Terrorists, extremists and Saddam loyalists have attacked US forces, intimidated Iraqis and destroyed infrastructure."

"These groups believe they have found an opportunity to harm America, to shake our resolve in the war on terror and to cause us to leave Iraq before freedom is fully established. They are wrong and they will not succeed."

In his most extensive remarks about Iraq in the two months since he declared that heavy fighting was over, Bush said that "as long as terrorists and their allies plot to harm America, America is at war".

He said US will stay in Iraq as long as necessary until a Democratic government is established in Iraq. "There will be no return to tyranny in Iraq," said Bush. "And those who threaten the order and stability of that country will face ruin, just as surely as the regime they once served."

He said the struggle in Iraq was a part of the ongoing war against terrorism in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Some of those who attacked US forces in Iraq were from the terrorist group Ansar al- Islam and the US government suspects fighters related to Abu Musab Zarqawi are preparing to attack.

Having "liberated" Iraq as promised, said Bush, "We will help that country to found a just and representative government, as promised."

PTI