WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush condemned on Friday Thursday's suicide bombing in Iraq that killed at least 35 people and wounded 120 others.

    "On behalf of the American people, I join Iraqi leaders of all communities who have condemned this barbarous action in the strongest possible terms," Bush said in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is spending a vacation.

    "To the Iraqi people, I pledge the commitment of the United States to helping your new government bring peace and security to all areas of your country," Bush said.

    A total of 35 people were killed and more than 120 others wounded on Thursday when a suicide bomber struck a busy market near the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf, said the Iraqi Defense Ministry.

    A suicide bomber blew himself up at a police commando checkpoint at the entrance of the market near the Imam Ali mosque at about 10:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) when he was stopped by the police and the Defense Ministry put the death toll at 35, with 122 injured. Enditem