Bush not frustrated with Iraqi government

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (Reuters) President George W Bush is not frustrated with the leadership of the new Iraqi government and does not expect an ''overnight success,'' White House spokesman Tony Snow said today.

Snow was responding to newspaper reports that said Bush in private meetings had expressed concern about progress in Iraq and frustration with the new government.

US and Iraqi forces continued to try to stem sectarian violence on Wednesday as bomb attacks killed 21 in Baghdad.

Snow said Iraq was not in a civil war and disputed the characterization of Bush as frustrated with progress in Iraq or with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.

''You've got a government that is brand new,'' Snow said.

''This is a guy who has a series of challenges before him with this government and the president is impressed not only by his determination to get the job done, but the fact is that he is working aggressively to do these things,'' Snow said. ''We don't expect him to be an overnight success in dealing with all these problems, nobody can be, but the president certainly supports Prime Minister Maliki.'' REUTERS BDP RAI2229