U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday that the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a major blow to al-Qaida, but there is "more work to do" in ending violence in Iraq.

"Removing Zarqawi is a major blow to al-Qaida. It's not going to end the war, it's certainly not going to end the violence, but it's going to help a lot," Bush told reporters after meeting with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at Camp David in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains north of Washington.

Bush also said he would like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, but that would depend on victory in Iraq.

"I think we'll get a realistic appraisal about the capacity for standing up Iraqi troops as this new government begins to function, " Bush said.

Source: Xinhua