Bush: troops did not die in vain

US President George Bush revealed he will meet with relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq to tell them their loved ones died for a "noble cause".

During his three-day state visit next week, the President will offer them the sympathy "of the American people and the prayers of the President".

And he will tell them "that their loved ones did not die in vain".

Speaking to the Press Association, the Daily Telegraph and Financial Times, in advance of the historic visit to the UK, Mr Bush also revealed the extent of his remarkable political and personal closeness to Prime Minister Tony Blair. He said they were in "weekly" contact.

'Prayers with families'

When asked about the families of the 54 British soldiers killed in Iraq, he said: "I am going to meet some. There's two messages. One, the prayers of the American people and the prayers of the President are with them, as they suffer.

"Secondly, that I will tell them that their loved ones did not die in vain. The actions we have taken will make the world more secure and the world more peaceful in the long run."

He added: "I view this as an historic moment and I will share with them - just like I share with our own families here - a deep grief, my sorrow for the sacrifice, but the fact that what is taking place today is a noble cause."

Turning to his relationship with Mr Blair, the President revealed that the two leaders are in constant touch as they seek to deal with the security situation in Iraq.

"I admire him as a strong leader. He tells you what he thinks and he does what he says he's going to do. And that's about as high a compliment as I can pay a fellow leader," he said.

He said they discuss the way forward on a "weekly" basis and are anxious to hand Iraq back to its people.

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