U.S. President George W. Bush said here on Saturday that violence in Iraq may escalate after the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted insurgent in the war-torn country.

"Zarqawi is dead, but the difficult and necessary mission in Iraq continues. In the weeks ahead, violence in Iraq may escalate. The terrorists and insurgents will seek to prove that they can carry on without Zarqawi," said Bush in a radio address.

Noting that the U.S.-led "coalition and Iraqi forces are seizing this moment to strike the enemies of freedom in Iraq," Bush said, "The work ahead will require more sacrifice and the continued patience of the American people."

Bush said he will have discussions with key members of his cabinet at Camp David, and have a teleconference discussion with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the way ahead in Iraq.

"Together we will determine how to best deploy America's resources in Iraq and achieve our shared goal of an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself," Bush said.

Washington announced on Thursday that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was accused of leading a campaign of car bombings and kidnappings and suicide attacks that has taken the lives of many U.S. soldiers and innocent Iraqis, was killed on Wednesday in a joint U.S. and Iraqi military raid north of Baghdad.

Source: Xinhua