Sunday, March 20 2005 10:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: President George W Bush has defended his decision to invade Iraq as advancing the cause of freedom and democracy, on the second anniversary of the attack that deposed Saddam Hussein and vowed to confront threats "before they materialise".

"On this day two years ago, we launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to disarm a brutal regime, free its people, and defend the world from a grave danger," Bush said on his weekly radio address.

"Before coalition forces arrived, Iraq was ruled by a dictatorship that murdered its own citizens, threatened its neighbours, and defied the world."

"We knew of Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and support for terror. We knew of his long history of pursuing, even using, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and we know that September the 11th requires our country to think differently. We must, and we will, confront threats to America before they fully materialise," he said.

"Now, Iraq's Government is no longer a threat to the world or its own people. Today the Iraqi people are taking charge of their own destiny," Bush said.

He said that the elected leaders of Iraq broadly represent Iraq's people and include more than 85 women, who will now draft a new constitution for a free and democratic Iraq.

"Today, Iraqis can take pride in building a Government that answers to its people and honours their country's unique heritage.