WASHINGTON, March 3: President George W. Bush on Thursday said the United States is constantly in pursuit of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his associate Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi, head of the Iraqi branch of the group.

"We're on a constant hunt for bin Laden. We're keeping the pressure on him, keeping him in hiding. And today, Zarqawi understands that coalition and Iraqi troops are on a constant hunt for him, as well. Coalition and Iraqi forces have caught and killed several of his key lieutenants," Mr Bush said.

Speaking at the swearing-in of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Mr Bush said of Osama: "We're working every day and night to dismantle his network and to bring him to justice. -AFP