From The New York Times:
WASHINGTON — President Bush strongly defended Iraq’s prime minister on Friday at what he called a “defining moment” for the Baghdad government, saying the United States supported its offensive against a Shiite militia and would provide any military assistance that was sought.
…snip…
Mr. Bush, appearing in the East Room of the White House, said that he had not spoken to Iraq’s leader, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, since Iraqi forces launched a major military operation to seize Basra from the control of militias, but spoke strongly in favor of the move, which he called the Maliki government’s initiative.
