Iraq's government welcomed U.S. President George W. Bush's new strategy and promised it was committed to making sure it succeeds, the Associated Press reported. In a speech broadcast live on Iraqi state television, Bush said he was increasing U.S. troops by 21,500 _ 17,500 to Baghdad. The plan also envisions 10,000 to 12,000 Iraqi troops to secure Baghdad's neighborhoods. «The failure in Iraq will not only affect this country only but the rest of the region and the world, including the United States,» said Sadiq al-Rikabi, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said. «The current situation is not acceptable _ not only for the American people but also for the Iraqis and their government. As Iraqis and as an elected government we welcome the American commitment for success,» he added. «The Iraqi government also is committed to succeed.» He also stressed the importance of the Iraqis taking the lead in military operations.
