( dpa ) - US President George W Bush praised Bahrain's king on Tuesday for showing support for the struggling Iraqi government by sending an ambassador to Baghdad.
"That's a very strong move that indicates a willingness to lead," Bush said, adding that it was important for the rest of the Arab world to recognize the progress that has been made in Iraq.
Bush met with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa at the White House to discuss Iraq, preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and other security issues in the region.
" Iraq is an Arab state," Hamad said. " Iraq is a founder of the Arab League. So it deserves all the support that it can get from other brother Arabs."
The meeting came one day after the two countries signed an agreement to cooperate in the development and sharing of nuclear energy technology.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid inked the deal at State Department Monday night partly aimed at highlighting Bahrain's commitment as a model nation in the Middle East on nuclear issues in contrast to Iran.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Bahrain will acquire fuel through existing international markets and not seek to develop it on its own, unlike Iran, which has continued to enrich uranium in defiance of the UN Security Council.