Bush hails Iraq militia crackdown

Bush said Mr Maliki had taken a bold step

US President George W Bush has praised Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for ordering Iraqi forces to crack down on Shia militias in the city of Basra.

Speaking in Ohio, Mr Bush hailed Mr Maliki's "bold decision", which he said showed progress made among Iraq's security forces.

He said improved security had made it possible to pass significant pieces of legislation and to improve the economy.

He repeated previous US claims that some Shia militias were backed by Iran.