We must beat terror - First lady

Laura and George Bush will stay with the Queen during their visit

The war against terror will be long but it must be won, US First Lady Laura Bush has said in a televised interview.

Speaking ahead of her visit to the UK with President Bush, she said her husband was determined to maintain America's security.

She told Sir Trevor McDonald in an interview for ITV News it was "wrenching" to hear of soldiers dying.

But she defended Mr Bush's decision to send troops to Iraq, saying: "We can't live in a world of terror."

Peace-loving people

She added: "Of course no-one wants war. Certainly the United States doesn't want war but it's our responsibility, all of us as civilised, freedom-loving and peace-loving people, to try and advance peace.

"That's just not a civil life that any of us would want for ourselves or for our children...it's going to be a long war against terror but it must be defeated."

Protesters are aiming to march through central London

Describing her husband's decision to send troops to war, she said: "It is by far, the most difficult decision and it's a wrenching decision. To hear of the injuries and the deaths of American soldiers or any Allied soldiers is wrenching."

But she added: "We don't want to have terrorism, we can't have a world where random terrorists kill people in, for instance, the UN or the Red Cross that were recently attacked. All of us want to live in a world that's peaceful and civil."

Mrs Bush said anti-war protesters who are expected to demonstrate during next week's state visit to the UK, had the right to express their opinions.

"The people in Iraq didn't have that right before," she added in the interview, due to be screened on Monday.

Mrs Bush accepted there had been criticisms of her husband, but praised him as "straightforward", "strong" and "very disciplined".

Strong and determined

She told Sir Trevor: "We're lucky in our country that he's president right now, in my opinion, because the challenges that we face in the world really require very strong and determined leaders and I'm proud he's that kind of person."

The First Lady said the couple were "honoured" to be staying at Buckingham Palace during their visit, which will last from Tuesday until Friday.

America regarded the British monarchy as a "fairytale" and it was "a huge thrill" to be staying with the Queen, she said.

"There's that brotherhood and sisterhood we feel with the people who live in England because of our history," she added.