US President George W. Bush vowed Thursday to launch a global drive against tyranny, calling the spread of democracy around the world an essential condition for stamping out terrorism.

"It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world," he said in his second inaugural address.

Bush did not mention the war in Iraq, nor did he pronounce the word terror, but he made clear the link between democracy and the war on terror, declaring that the United States would never be safe as long as "whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny."

"My most solemn duty is to protect this nation and its people against further attacks and emerging threats," Bush said.

"The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world," he said, adding "We will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary."

Bush was re-elected in November after a first term marked by terror attacks and two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Source: Xinhua