WASHINGTON (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki thanked the United States for ousting former dictator Saddam Hussein and hailed the "new Iraq that is emerging from the ashes of dictatorship."
Addressing a joint session of the US Congress, amid growing doubts among some lawmakers about his leadership, Maliki expressed his gratitude for the continued US military presence in Iraq.
"Thank you for your continued resolve in helping us fight the terrorists plaguing Iraq, which is a struggle to defend our nascent democracy and our people, who aspire to liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," he told lawmakers and dignitaries assembled in the House of Representatives chamber.
The Iraqi leader cast the ongoing sectarian violence raging across his country as an Islamic religious battle.
"This is a battle between two Islams, for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak," he said.
"Iraq is the frontline in this struggle, and history will prove that the sacrifices of Iraqis for freedom will not be in vain," he said.
To those who have called for an early withdrawal of US troops, Maliki said that the futures of both countries are inextricably linked.
"The fate of our country and yours is tied. Should democracy be allowed to fail in Iraq and terror permitted to triumph, then the war on terror will never be won elsewhere," he said.
The address was briefly interrupted by a female protester, who was removed from the House chamber after calling for US troops to be brought home from Iraq.
UPDATE --- same article author, more content, new title, I am asking AM to append new title on end of old title..
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PM says Iraq is front line of terror war
ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki insisted Wednesday that his country is a front line in the war on terrorism and said those behind the rampant violence there are perverting the Islamic faith.
"I know some of you question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror," al-Maliki told a joint meeting of Congress, where some lawmakers have been critical of the new Iraqi leader's position on the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants.
"Let me be very clear," al-Maliki said. "This is a battle between true Islam, for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak."
Several Democrats critical of al-Maliki attended and participated in standing ovations as the Iraqi leader spoke. It was not immediately clear whether any lawmakers made good on a threat to boycott the address.
Al-Maliki shook hands with several members on his way out of the chamber, including Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, who had sharply criticized the Iraqi leader on Tuesday for not condemning Hezbollah.
Despite tough rhetoric against terrorism in the Middle East, al-Maliki did not mention the Hezbollah conflict. Al-Maliki's difference of opinion with his hosts over the two-week-old fighting had threatened to sour his visit.
The Bush administration and its ally Israel insist that Hezbollah, which they consider a terror group, must be disarmed and defeated in southern Lebanon. European and Arab allies want a quick cease-fire to stop mounting civilian deaths in Lebanon.
Al-Maliki heads Iraq's first permanent democratic government, and the Bush administration has much riding on his success. Al-Maliki emerged as a compromise choice to head the multiethnic government two months ago, after agonizing delays sapped the momentum and enthusiasm generated by successful free elections.
Roughly 127,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq, but the administration is under increasing pressure from Democrats — and some Republicans — to bring a substantial number of them home by the end of this year.
Congress has approved nearly $300 billion to try to secure and rebuild the country more than three years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
Al-Maliki and President Bush were having lunch Wednesday with U.S. troops at an Army base near Washington.
During his address, al-Maliki appealed to Congress for more aid, from the United States and other nations as well. He noted that much of the money provided so far has been spent on security instead of much-needed reconstruction.
"There needs to be a a greater alliance on Iraqis and Iraq companies with foreign aid and assistance to help us rebuild Iraq," he said.
Al-Maliki was interrupted briefly by a shouting demonstrator wearing a pink T-shirt that read, "Troops Home Now." The young woman was lifted from her seat by officers and carried out of the House visitor's gallery, while al-Maliki paused and grimaced in irritation.
"Iraqis want the troops to leave, bring them home now," the woman shouted repeatedly. "Listen to the Iraqis."
Al-Maliki said his country has made great strides despite the threat of extremists he said are bent on destroying Iraq's nascent democracy.
"Above all they wish to spread fear," and represent a threat to all free countries, he said.
"Iraq is the battle that will determine the war," he said. His words echoed those of Bush, who frequently asserts that Iraq is a central battleground against terrorism elsewhere, including on U.S. shores, and that the country can be a bulwark for the spread of freedom in the autocratic Middle East.
Of his people, who have faced violence and death as the country makes a transition from the Saddam's rule, al-Maliki said: "They have stated over and over again, with the ink-stained fingers waving in pride, they will always make the same choice."
Asked about talk among Democrats earlier of boycotting al-Maliki's address, White House press secretary Tony Snow said, "Let me try to explain democracy to people on Capitol Hill. It involves such rights as free speech and freedom of opinion.
"The president is not a puppeteer in this case. He's not pulling the strings of Prime Minister al-Maliki. Prime Minister al-Maliki is the duly elected leader of a sovereign state, and as a result, has rights to his opinions."
In earlier meetings at the White House, the Iraqi leader asked the United States for more military equipment and recommended increasing U.S. and Iraqi forces patrolling Baghdad neighborhoods.
At a joint news conference Tuesday, al-Maliki told reporters he and Bush agreed Iraqi forces needed training and better arms "as quickly as possible," particularly in the besieged capital city, to stabilize the country. Bush said the violence in Baghdad "is still terrible" and more troops are needed there.
The president said U.S. forces would be moved into Baghdad from other parts of Iraq. He did not say how many troops would be redeployed, but Pentagon officials have suggested several thousand soldiers would be moved to Baghdad, including some now based in Kuwait.
Before al-Maliki's address, leading House and Senate Democrats said they were incensed by al-Maliki's position on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Al-Maliki has condemned what he called Israel's "hostile acts" in Lebanon and said the international community has not done enough to stop it.
The House and Senate last week overwhelmingly approved resolutions in support of Israel, which began heavy attacks on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon two weeks ago after Hezbollah forces crossed into northern Israel, killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two.
Okay, so I can recognize this ridiculous piece of garbage, but the reporter didn't?