'Insurgents won't stop democracy in Iraq'

US President George Bush, speaking on America’s birthday, said the insurgents in Iraq will fail to stop democracy in that country and US forces will stay “until the fight is won".

The president also asked Americans to support US troops by flying the flag, writing a letter to troops in the field and supporting a military family down the street.

Bush was applauded often as he spoke at a campus setting at the West Virginia University in front of American flags and red, white and blue bunting hanging from windows.

He said the insurgents won’t win in Iraq.

“They continue to kill in hope they will break the resolve of the American people but they will fail,” Bush said.

Bush said Iraqis are fighting alongside Americans, telling the cheering crowd, “As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down, and then our troops can come home to a proud and grateful nation.”

On a hot, steamy day, the president removed his tie and rolled up his sleeves as he vowed “We will stay until the fight is won.” He added, “In this war there’s only one option and that is victory.”

Bush characterised the insurgents in Iraq as “men who celebrate murder” as they seek to spread their ideology and “turn the Middle East into a haven of terror.”

Even though the television images of death are “difficult for our compassionate nation to watch,” Bush said, the insurgents are no closer to stopping the move toward democracy.

“Terrorists can kill the innocent but they cannot stop the advance of freedom,” he said.

Bush has made an Independence Day visit to West Virginia a tradition of sorts. This was his third time. And it was a quick one – 90 minutes from touchdown to takeoff from Morgantown, according to his schedule.

Several thousand students, veterans, civic leaders and members of the military were expected to pack West Virginia University’s downtown campus for the ticket-only event. Demonstrators were kept some distance away and could barely be heard.

Last year, Bush spoke before about 6,500 residents at the state Capitol Complex in Charleston on Independence Day. In 2002, a crowd of more than 8,000 gathered to hear him speak in Ripley.

Bush criss-crossed the state during his re-election campaign last year, making nine visits between April and September. He won West Virginia’s five electoral votes by more than 13%.