AFP, Sep. 5, Sydney — US President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he saw security and political progress in Iraq and vowed to “hang in there” despite steep pressure to pull US forces out of the war-torn country.

“Again, I repeat, there’s plenty of work to be done. There’s more work to be done. But reconciliation is taking place,” he said at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

“And it’s important, in my judgment, for the security of America, and for the security of Australia, that we hang in there with the Iraqis and help them,” Bush said.

’’Our commitment to Iraq remains,’’ pledged Howard