Bush sees US taking more of a support role in Iraq

CHICAGO, May 22 (Reuters) President George W. Bush, under pressure to show progress in Iraq, today said the United States will increasingly play a supporting role in Iraq as Baghdad's new unity government gains confidence.

Bush made no pledges about withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq in the wake of Saturday's formation of a new unity government after months of sectarian argument.

But he said to take advantage of a moment of opportunity, ''the United States and our coalition partners will work with the new Iraqi government to adjust our methods and strengthen our mutual efforts to achieve victory over our common enemies.'' ''As the new Iraqi government grows in confidence and capability, America will play an increasingly supporting role,'' Bush said.

He said in a speech to an association of restaurant operators that he had instructed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to engage Iraq's new leaders to assess their needs and capabilities, ''so we'll be in the best position to help them succeed.'' Bush said he saw the new government of Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds as a possible turning point in Iraq three years after Saddam Hussein was toppled from power.

''The main reason I've come today is to talk to you about a watershed event that took place in Iraq. On Saturday in Baghdad, Iraqis formed a new government, and the world saw the beginning of something new -- constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East,'' Bush said.

Bush is trying to rebound from sagging poll numbers driven largely by a loss of American confidence in his handling of the Iraq war, where more than 2,400 Americans have been killed.

The United States has about 133,000 troops in Iraq three years after it invaded to oust Saddam Hussein.

Bush heaped praise on the new Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, and other leaders, while noting that the new government is still a work in progress and that it must work to represent all Iraqis, improve security and work for peace.

''The unity government must now seize this moment,'' Bush said.

Reuters DKS DB2236