Bush says he’s open to halting troop cutbacks

Posing for pictures in Bahrain with the king, Bush said, "I know you've been concerned about Iraq and the politics of Iraq." Bush went on to talk about the action in Iraq's parliament.

"I come with an upbeat message, a hopeful message — a message that will prevail here in the Middle East," Bush said.

Earlier, in Kuwait, Bush spoke optimistically about Iraq despite his oft-stated frustrations about the slow pace of progress.

"I'm not making excuses for a government, but to go from a tyranny to a democracy overnight is virtually impossible," Bush said. "And so when you say, `Am I pleased with the progress?' _what they have gone through and where they are today I think is good progress. Have they done enough? No. Are we going to continue to work with them to do more? Absolutely. Absolutely."

Our message is very clear: It's in your interest that you pass good law.

A White House spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, said Bush called Jordan's King Abdullah II to update him on his trip to the Middle East. The visit is built around Bush's fresh drive to secure a peace pact between Israel and the Palestinians this year.

"He told his majesty that he was encouraged by what he found in Israel and the Palestinian territories and hopeful about the progress that can be made there," Johndroe said.

More from msnbc.com White House is sued over Obama visitor logs Cosmic Log: Light show sparks UFO buzz Field Notes: How Tiger Woods betrayed me, too Your body's big enemy? You are sitting on it Bin Laden remains elusive, frustrating U.S. Send us images of your salutes to troops, friends, kin Giving back for the holiday season? Tell us how

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Iran: U.N. station near border is for spying   Palestinians fake cancer to flee blockaded Gaza Palestinian files $110M libel suit over ‘Bruno’ Iraq shakes up security after bombings Ukraine OK’s $2.5 billion arms deal with Iraq Man, dog thought dead survive Baghdad blast Iran: Students, militia clash for 2nd day Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: