Washington: US President George W Bush has said that a videotape of Osama bin Laden broadcast by Al-Jazeera television will not cow Americans marking two years since the September 11 attacks.

"His tape reminds us that the war on terror goes on. As well, his rhetoric is trying to intimidate, and create fear, and he's not going to intimidate America," Bush vowed on September 11 in comments to reporters.

"We are at war because of what he and his fellow killers decided to do two years ago today, and we will stay at war until we have achieved our objectives," said the President.

Bush said the campaign was "slowly but surely dismantling al-Qaida".

The US leader, who spoke after visiting wounded US soldiers at Washington's Walter Reed military hospital, also said US officials were analysing the recording to assess its authenticity.

Bush said that UN members, including nations that opposed the war in Iraq, have "an obligation" to help the United States rebuild the war-ravaged nation.

"A free Iraq will be in their nation's benefit. It will make the world more peaceful and more secure," he said in brief remarks to reporters as he wrapped up events marking two years since the September 11 attacks.

Bush said US Secretary of State Colin Powell would embark on September 12 on a weekend overseas trip to promote a new, US-backed UN resolution aimed at winning more global support for that effort.

Agencies