US counting on 'diplomatic surge' for Iraq

President George W. Bush this week celebrated security gains from the US troop "surge" in Iraq -- but made clear that US hopes rest heavily on what some aides call "the diplomatic surge."

Amid controversy at home over plans for sealing a long-term strategic deal to keep US forces in Iraq, the Bush administration is stepping up efforts to get the country's neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, to play a bigger role.

"On the diplomatic front, Iraq will increase its engagement in the world -- and the world must increase its engagement with Iraq," the US president urged in an 18-minute defense of his handling of the unpopular war.

But US officials barely conceal their frustration with a years-long campaign they acknowledge has failed to convince Arab nations in the Gulf to embrace the fledgling Baghdad government now led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

And they say the effort has a new urgency as Washington aims to curb or at least balance Iran's influence in Iraq with before Bush hands over the keys to the White House in January 2009. More