Bush assures Iraqi Kurdish leader of continued support

US President George W. Bush welcomed Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, to the White House, and said that Barzani's vision for Iraq is one where "people of different religions and backgrounds can live together in peace."

Speaking with Barzani at the White House October 25, Bush described the Iraqi Kurdish leader as "a man who has stood up to a tyrant," former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Bush said he and Barzani had "a very good discussion," and added that Barzani was very helpful during Iraq's recent constitutional process.

"I assure him that America will stand with the people that desire a free and democratic Iraq," he said.

Barzani thanked Bush and the American people for liberating Iraq "from a dictatorial regime that had shed blood of the people," and said that with continued U.S. leadership and support, "we will achieve success at the end."

"Those who are supportive of your leadership, supportive of the democracy process, they are many," Barzani said. "They highly appreciate the sacrifices that have been made by the American people and the American Army."