WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush said Thursday that it was important to take the threats being made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seriously, but that he was committed to working with other nations to convince the Iranian regime to peacefully give up any ambitions it has in developing a weapons program.

"The reason why is because it's very important for us to take the threats coming out of the mouth of the president of Iran very seriously," he said. "This is a person that consistently talks about the use of force on Israel, for example, and Israel is our very firm and strong ally."

He was asked about a recent statement by France's foreign minister that the international community should prepare for the possibility of war in the event Iran obtains atomic weapons - although he later stressed the focus is still on diplomatic pressures.

"I have consistently stated I am hopeful we can convince the Iranian regime to give up" any nuclear ambitions it has, Bush.

He also defended the local New York officials' decision to deny permission to Ahmadinejad to lay a wreath at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center buildings next week.

"I can understand why they would not want somebody that's running a country that's a state sponsor of terror down there at the sight," the president said.

Bush repeatedly refused to comment on reports that Israeli planes attacked an installation - believed to be the beginnings of a nuclear project - in northern Syria on September 6.

Asked about whether North Korea was providing nuclear assistance to Syria, Bush said, "We expect them not to."

Regarding Iraq, Bush said there was progress in local communities, but that people were dissatisfied with the central government.

"Part of the reason why there's not this instant democracy in Iraq is because people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein's brutal rule. Sort of an interesting comment, I heard somebody say, `Where's Mandela?' Well, Mandela's dead because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas."

It was a reference to the charismatic former leader of South Africa who helped reconcile the nation after decades of racial division. Mandela is still alive.

Bush expressed regret that innocent civilians had been killed in a shooting Sunday in Baghdad involving Blackwater USA security guards. Iraqi officials said at least 11 people died. The president said he is eager to find out precisely what happened, but said his "thoughts and prayers go out to the families."

"To the extent that innocent life was lost, you know, I'm saddened," he said. "Our objective is to protect innocent life. We've got a lot of brave souls in the theater working hard to protect innocent life."

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