U.S. President George W. Bush said on Saturday that the U.S. goal is to allow Iraqi security forces to control more territory than the U.S.-led coalition forces by the end of this year.

"Our goal is to have the Iraqis control more territory than the coalition forces by the end of this year," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

As Iraqis assume responsibility over more territory, this would free U.S. and coalition forces to concentrate on hunting down high- value targets like Al-Qaeda deputy leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his associates, Bush said.

Although he admitted the situation in Iraq remained tense, Bush voiced optimism for Iraq's future.

Iraqi security forces have moved effectively to protect religious sites, enforce a curfew and re-establish civil order, Bush said.

"By their response over the past two weeks and their participation in three successful elections last year, the Iraqi people have made clear they will not let a violent minority take that future away by tearing the country apart," Bush said.

Ever since a Shiite Muslim shrine was attacked last month, Iraq has fallen into religious strives and hundreds of people have been killed.

In efforts to allay public worries that Iraq may fall into a civil war, Bush is expected to give three speeches on Iraq starting next Monday to clarify his administration's policy on Iraq.

Source: Xinhua