NEW YORK, Feb 5: Saying that America welcomed people of all faiths, US President George W. Bush on Thursday observed "Christians, Jews and Muslims have too often been divided by old suspicions , but we are called to act as what we are - the sons and daughters of Abraham."

Speaking to a large audience at the 52nd National Prayer Breakfast meeting at a Washington hotel in which representatives of religious and political groups from across the United States and nearly 166 countries participated, Mr Bush spoke about strong American values, and said "one part of the American heritage is that they believe all people are born free; no man should be in bondage, at any time, in any way."

Mr Bush said that in the spirit of religious tolerance "our troops in Iraq have helped to refurbish mosques, have treated Muslim clerics with deference, and are mindful of Islam's holy days. Some of our troops are Muslims themselves, because America welcomes people of every faith."

Referring to Iraq, Mr Bush said: "Our work in the troubled part of the world goes on, and what we have begun we will finish."

Information Minister Shaikh Rashid, who flew in specially to attend the breakfast, was unable to meet President Bush as he did not make rounds of the grand ballroom full of guests. Instead prominent personalities were called on the dais to meet the President.

Mr Rashid was accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador Jehangir Ashraf Kazi.