Bush praises voters for their bravery

US PRESIDENT George Bush called yesterday's elections in Iraq a success and promised the United States would continue trying to prepare Iraqis to secure their own country.

"The world is hearing the voice of freedom from the centre of the Middle East," Mr Bush told reporters at the White House yesterday, four hours after the polls closed. He did not take questions.

Mr Bush praised the bravery of Iraqis who turned out to vote despite continuing violence and intimidation. Mr Bush said they "firmly rejected the antidemocratic ideology" of terrorists.