CRAWFORD, Texas, April 10: President George W. Bush on Saturday rejected calls to push back Iraq's June 30 transfer of power, insisting this would play into the hands of enemies who are trying to "seize power" and humiliate the United States.

In a combative weekly radio address despite mounting unrest in Iraq, Bush again vowed to confront "every challenge" to US efforts to establish a new government in the country.

"A small faction is attempting to derail Iraqi democracy and seize power," Bush said.

"Some have suggested that we should respond to the recent attacks by delaying Iraqi sovereignty, declared Bush.

"This is precisely what our enemies want. They want to dictate the course of events in Iraq and to prevent the Iraqi people from having a true voice in their future.

"They want America and our coalition to falter in our commitments before a watching world. In these ambitions, the enemies of freedom will fail. Iraqi sovereignty will arrive on June 30."

US officials have given few details on what the new Iraqi government will look like. This and the heightened violence has led to calls to review the proposed transfer. Even senior Republicans have said there should be a "debate" on the date.

In the face of bitter fighting in Fallujah and other Iraqi cities over the past week, Mr Bush said "our coalition forces have faced challenges, and taken the fight to the enemy. And our offensive will continue in the weeks ahead."

He went on: "As the June 30 transition approaches, we will continue to see a test of wills between the enemies of freedom and its defenders. We will win this test of wills, and overcome every challenge, because the cause of freedom and security is worth our struggle."-AFP