Bush, Maliki discuss execution, Iraq security

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Thursday agreed that investigating the unauthorized recording of Saddam Hussein's execution was the "right thing to do," the White House said.

The Iraqi government has been criticized over an illicit video, taken by mobile phone, of Shi'ite officials taunting Saddam on the gallows.

While some Saddam loyalists have demonstrated over the hanging of the former Iraqi president, U.S. and Iraqi officials reported "no increase in violence as a result of the execution," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.

In a secure videoconference call that lasted an hour and 45 minutes, Bush "expressed that it was the right thing to do, to investigate the taping and behavior at the execution of Saddam Hussein," Snow said.

Bush, who is developing a new strategy on Iraq that could be unveiled as early as next week, spoke to Maliki about the "way forward" but not about his specific plan.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070104/ts_nm/iraq_bush_dc