Bush apologises for Iraq abuses

US President George W Bush on Thursday said he was sorry for the humiliations Iraqi prisoners and their families suffered but insisted there are also 'thousands of acts of kindness and decency taking place every day in Iraq from the American soldiers'.

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Making a media appearance with visiting King Abdullah of Jordan, Bush rejected demands in Congress that Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld be sacked for his failure to prevent atrocities against Iraqi prisoners.

"Rumsfeld is a really good Secretary of Defence. Secretary Rumsfeld has served our nation well. Secretary Rumsfeld has been Secretary during two wars. He is an important part of my Cabinet and he will stay in my Cabinet," Bush told reporters in Washington.

He repeated his assurance, "We will take a good look at the system and make sure it won't happen again."