Moving closer to an overhaul of his troubled war strategy, US President George Bush today heard firsthand from his new Pentagon chief, just back from a visit to Iraq.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, finishing up his first week on the job, spent three days in
Iraq before heading straight to Camp David in Maryland to report to the President on his conversations with Iraqi leaders and US commanders and soldiers.
Mr Bush, who is spending Christmas at the presidential retreat, was joined by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen Hadley and Mr Hadley's deputy, J.D. Crouch, who is co-ordinating the administration's Iraq review.
While in Iraq, Gates expressed confidence that Iraqis can take the lead in reducing the violence and warned Iran and Syria not to meddle in their neighbour's affairs.
Mr Bush has said he cannot settle on a revised war plan without input from Gates, who took over from Donald Rumsfeld at the Defence Department on Monday. The President is expected to announce a revamped
Iraq strategy in a speech to the US nation between New Year's Day and January 23, when he gives his State of the Union address.