Bush Stresses Connection Between Iraq War, Al-Qaida

Bush said the group Al-Qaida in Iraq was run by foreign militants loyal to Osama bin Laden to achieve Al-Qaida's political goals. "It's hard to argue that Al-Qaida in Iraq is separate from bin Laden's Al-Qaida when the leader of Al-Qaida in Iraq took an oath of allegiance to Osama bin Laden," Bush said.

Bush said he made those remarks to refute claims that Al-Qaida in Iraq was a separate, mainly Iraqi-led group.

He also said that the United States must give its military leaders in Iraq the time and resources they need so they can defeat the terrorist group.

Bush's speech comes amid criticism of his Iraq strategy from political opponents as well as some members of his own party.

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