Bush weeps for soldiers killed in Afghanistan

American President George Bush today wiped away tears as he paid tribute to the eight soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan this week.

He became emotional while speaking in Florida after meeting the families of two of the soldiers killed during Operation Anaconda.

Mr Bush had just met the families of Sergeant Bradley Crosse, 22, and Specialist Marc Anderson, 30, both of whom were among the dead when six soldiers were killed as their helicopter landed under enemy fire.

‘‘I know your heart aches and we ache for you, but your sons and brothers died for a noble cause,’’ he told the families as tears welled in his eyes.

‘‘May God bless you.’’

And he added: ‘‘I hate it to know that young soldiers are at risk but I want to assure you and all those whose sons and daughters are at risk, that not only is the cause just and noble and important, but that our United States government will provide the United States military with alit needs to win this war against terror.’’

The eight losses last weekend were the heaviest suffered by American forces in the campaign in Iraq.

One soldier was killed on Saturday and seven more died on Sunday, the first killed after he fell from the Chinook helicopter and the other six dying as their helicopter landed under fire as it tried to rescue his body.