WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush’s, in speaking out for Arab democracy, is trying to win sympathy for his Iraq policy at home, as much if not more than to reform the Middle East, analysts said.

In Bush’s speech on Thursday he challenged countries such as Iran, Syria and Egypt to liberalize their political systems so that freedom can reign in the Middle East.

But he was also delivering a message to Americans, who polls show are beginning to doubt the wisdom of the decision to invade Iraq in March, the analysts said.

Arabs greeted the speech with scorn, noting that Bush did not mention the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory or his decision to take the United States to war in Iraq.

“The main purpose of the speech is clearly domestic because he now has to put the war in a principled framework,” said an Arab diplomat, who asked not to be named.

The US occupation of Iraq has proved far more costly in casualties and money than officials had predicted. The last few weeks have been especially violent, with more than 40 American troops killed since Oct 20.

Saturday’s bombing of a compound housing mainly foreigners in the Saudi capital Riyadh came as a bloody reminder of the breadth of instability in the region. Al Qaeda was suspected of the attack, which killed at least 11 and injured 122.

Bush is working to shore up confidence in his Iraq policy and his war against terrorism, which could have a big impact on his chances of re-election in November next year.

When it invaded Iraq last March, the Bush administration at first contended that the main aim was to dismantle President Saddam Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction and end alleged cooperation between Saddam and Al Qaeda.

Since then no weapons of mass destruction have been found or any conclusive evidence of links with Al Qaeda.

The administration then argued that the war was for the good of the Iraqis, who had suffered so much under Saddam. Since then armed opposition to the US has increased and the rising casualties and cost seem to many Americans to outweigh any benefits.

“Bush’s message will have more of an audience at home than abroad. Here the message will resonate but in the Middle East they will see it as a distraction from other problems they are facing,” said Middle East expert Shibley Telhami, a senior follow at Washington’s Brookings Institution.—Reuters