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Bush optimistic on new UN resolution for Iraq

US President George W. Bush said yesterday that he sensed a "spirit of unity" in the international community to help Iraq's new government and expressed optimism that a UN Security Council resolution would be approved soon.

At a joint news conference, Bush thanked Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, one of his closest allies in Europe, for helping draft a new resolution.

"I sense a spirit of unity in terms of working with the new Iraqi government," Bush said. Of the resolution, he said: "I'm confident we will get one soon."

Honoring the 20 Italian soldiers killed in Iraq, Bush said: "Their service will help make ... the world more secure as a free and democratic Iraq arises in the heart of the Middle East."

Italy has some 2,700 troops in Iraq, the third largest foreign contingent there after the US and British forces.

Bush and Berlusconi swapped praise at the press conference, which concluded the US president's 36-hour visit to the Italian capital.

The trip took place against a backdrop of anti-war street protests and violence in Iraq.

Thousands of protesters opposed to the US-led occupation of Iraq marched in Rome on Friday. There were skirmishes with police, and some bottles and flares were thrown, but it was not the mayhem many had feared. Berlusconi called it a "flop."

However, the possibility of more protests awaited Bush in Paris. There, Bush was to hold talks and have a working dinner with French President Jacques Chirac, who thwarted Bush's attempt for a UN Security Council resolution last year authorizing war against Iraq.

Chirac wants a new UN resolution to have a fixed timetable for withdrawing US-led troops.

The US and Britain on Friday proposed giving Iraq's new leaders the right to send home foreign troops, a concession Baghdad's foreign minister said would speed up adoption of a resolution on Iraq's future.

Bush and his aides are optimistic the Security Council can soon agree a resolution endorsing Iraq's new interim government and establishing a multinational force to provide security as the country tries to arrange elections in January. No date has been set for adoption. US and British officials believe only minor adjustments will be needed to win council support.

Meanwhile, a taped radio address yesterday Bush told Americans that Iraq was on a path to democracy and could be a regional force for change. He said the naming of interim Iraqi leaders was a sign of progress.

He said Iraq was on its way to becoming a force for change in the region.

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