WASHINGTON, Jan 16: President George W. Bush has said that if some Muslims do not like America, there are others who do and praise the role the US is playing in bringing stability to the Islamic world.

In an interview to the Washington Post published on Sunday, Mr Bush placed Afghanistan on the top of the list of Muslim nations who were "really happy that the US government, along with others, liberated them from the Taliban".

Similarly, the US assistance to the Muslim victims of the Dec 26 earthquake and the consequent tsunami, were also appreciated, he said. "I suspect that people in the Muslim world, as we speak, are thrilled that supplies are being delivered by US servicemen and women."

Mr Bush said the reformers in Iran were also "very hopeful that the US government is firm in belief that democracy ought to spread". Asked to comment on the widespread anti-Americanism in the Muslim world, Mr Bush said: "There are some places we're not popular and other places where we're liked."

He, however, acknowledged that the US needed to do a better job of explaining its policies to the Muslims. "We (ought to tell them) that in our country you are free to worship as you see fit, that we honour the Muslim faith."

The United States, he said, did not want territory, but only wanted to spread freedom. "We need to work on a public diplomacy effort that explains our motives and explains our intentions."

Mr Bush said the US had not yet succeeded in capturing Osama bin Laden because "he's hiding,... he is elusive and he is in a remote part of the world". He said he was happy that the United States and its allies were searching for Osama, but acknowledged that he would be "more pleased" when he is captured, "and I think he will be".