WASHINGTON, May 10 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush on Monday publicly praised Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld saying the defense secretary was "doing a superb job."

    Bush made the remark at the Pentagon during a brief public appearance after he received a briefing on the situation in Iraq.

Bush praised Rumsfeld on Monday saying his defense secretary was "doing a superb job." (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    "You are a strong secretary of defense and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude," Bush said to Rumsfeld.

    This was the first time that Bush showed public support for Rumsfeld who was facing growing pressure, particularly from Democrats, to resign over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad. Enditem