Bush visits Iraq to see troops, government

BAGHDAD, June 13 (Reuters) US President George W Bush arrived in Iraq on Tuesday, his second visit to the country since the US-led invasion in 2003, and was expected to meet US troops and the Iraqi government.

''Good to see you,'' a beaming Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told president Bush shortly after his arrival at a palace used by the US Embassy.

Bush replied as they shook hands, ''Thanks for having me.'' Bush was eager to show progress in Iraq and restore American confidence in his handling of the war.

It was his first visit to Iraq since November 2003, when he went to see US troops for the Thanksgiving holiday. The White House said he would be on the ground for more than five hours this time.

Bush was meeting Mr Maliki, Iraq Cabinet members and other Iraqi officials, and planned to address US military personnel still upbeat over the killing in a US airstrike last Wednesday of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al Qaeda's leader in Iraq.

Secrecy was a top priority for Mr Bush's visit.

Prime Minister Maliki was told about the trip only five minutes before meeting Bush and many of Bush's own cabinet members were kept in the dark. Bush was in the middle of a special meeting on progress in Iraq being held at the presidential retreat, Camp David.

Bush abruptly left many of his Cabinet secretaries after dinner with them at his Camp David retreat yesterday night and flew overnight halfway around the world.

Under heavy security, Bush's plane swooped into Baghdad International Airport. Then he quickly boarded a Blackhawk helicopter for an eight-minute ride in searing summer heat into the city's heavily fortified ''Green Zone'' for meetings with Iraqi officials at the US embassy.

REUTERS SHB KN1917