US President George W. Bush said on Saturday Iraq was on a path to democracy and could be a regional force for change, as he pushed a Middle East reform plan that will figure at a Group of Eight summit next week.
His upbeat assessment of Iraq came a day after a stern assessment from Pope John Paul and anti-war demonstrations in the streets of Rome.
The president, in Europe for events commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day, told Americans in a taped radio address that the naming of interim Iraqi leaders was a sign of progress.
In the weekly address he said Iraq was moving closer to having a "fully sovereign" government, with the handover of some powers to the interim government due on June 30.
"Naming this new government advances our five-step plan to help Iraq achieve democracy and freedom as a united and federal nation," Bush said.
"It brings us closer to realising the hope of millions of Iraqis, a fully sovereign nation with a representative government to protect their rights and serve their interests."
The US president said Iraq was on its way to becoming a force for change in the region.
"It brings us closer to seeing a Middle East that knows the blessings of liberty, and it brings us closer to defeating a ruthless enemy that has killed thousands of innocents and still threatens the peace of the world," Bush said.
Bush is also trying to secure support from other nations for a new UN resolution on Iraq, a key focus in talks with leaders on his three-day trip to Europe.
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