UN: In a combative speech to the United Nations General Assembly, US president George W Bush has robustly defended his Middle East policies, which he said were aimed at promoting democracy in the region.
In particular, he signalled there would be no change of policy on Iraq and pledged the people of that country: "We will not abandon you in your struggle to build a free nation."
The president's 20-minute address was devoted almost entirely to the Middle East. Both his arrival and speech evoked tepid applause from the assembled member states, some of whom were praised while others got sharp criticism.
"The world is engaged in a great ideological struggle," Mr Bush said. Five years before, at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he had called on the nations of the world to defend civilisation: "It is the calling of our generation."
Rejecting that promoting democracy destabilised the region, Mr Bush said the Middle East had not been stable to begin with. He continued: "I would like to speak directly to the people across the broader Middle East."
Extremists were spreading propaganda that the West was against Islam but this was false, he said. "We respect Islam but we will protect our people against those who pervert Islam to sow death and destruction."
He praised the people of Iraq for braving car bombers and assassins to vote in their millions in free elections last December.
Addressing the people of Afghanistan, he said troops from more than 40 countries, including Nato members, were serving with Afghan government forces against its opponents: "We will help you defeat those enemies and build a free Afghanistan."
On Lebanon, he said an "unprovoked" attack on Israel by Hizbullah had resulted in Lebanese homes and communities being caught in crossfire between the two sides. "For many years, Lebanon was a model of democracy, pluralism, and openness in the region - and it will be again."
Addressing the people of Iran, Mr Bush said: "You deserve an opportunity to determine your country's future." The "greatest obstacle" was that their leaders had chosen to "fund terrorists, fuel extremism and develop nuclear weapons".
He told the Syrian people their government was "turning your country into a tool of Iran". He added: "Your government must choose a better way forward."
Turning to the humanitarian crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur, he said the people were being subjected to genocide. If the "regime in Khartoum" sought to prevent deployment of a United Nations force, then "the UN must act".
On the Arab-Israeli conflict, Mr Bush reiterated his support for a solution based on "two democratic states living side by side".
Hamas had won the Palestinian elections on an anti-corruption platform and, now, "The world is waiting to see whether Hamas will follow through on its promises or pursue an extremist agenda." Claiming that, "from Beirut to Baghdad, people are making the choice for freedom", he cited a letter from a group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals.
They wrote that, "The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and patience and perseverance." Mr Bush commented: "The United Nations was created to make that journey possible."
Mr Bush was preceded by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, who received a standing ovation from delegates. Mr Annan steps down at the end of the year and, bidding farewell, he said: "Together we have pushed some big rocks to the top of the mountain, even if others have slipped from our grasp and rolled back. But this mountain, with its bracing winds and global views, is the best place on earth to be.
"It's been difficult and challenging, but at times thrillingly rewarding. And while I look forward to resting my shoulder from those stubborn rocks in the next phase of my life, I know I shall miss the mountain.
"Yes, I shall miss what is, when all is said and done, the world's most exalting job," said Mr Annan.