Related: Bush, Blair give no troops pullout timetable from Iraq

    WASHINGTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush and his staunch ally British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday defended their stand to launch the Iraq war in 2003.

US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair speak to reporters after their meeting about Iraq at the White House in Washington May 25. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    Speaking at a press conference after their talks at the White House, the two leaders acknowledged difficult times in the Iraq war, but they vowed to keep troops there until the new Iraqi government takes control.

    "Despite setbacks and missteps, I strongly believe we did and are doing the right thing," Bush said.

    Blair, who visited Baghdad early this week, said at the press conference that "I came away thinking the challenge is still immense, but I also came away thinking more certain than ever that we should rise to it." Enditem