WASHINGTON,(Saba) - A defiant US President George W. Bush unapologetically defended his decision to invade Iraq last year, insisting it had made the United States safer and vowing never to seek permission to wage war
in self-defense.

"We have not come all this way -- through tragedy, and trial, and war --only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and America has sought international support for
operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and we have gained much support," he said in his State of the Union address before he seeks re-election November 2.

He add:"America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country."

"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right," said Bush, who also argued that democracy and prosperity in Iraq will transform the Middle East.
TD/KM