Bush cites intelligence failure in Iraq as 'biggest regret'

Washington, Dec 2 (DPA) US President George W. Bush says his 'biggest regret' in office was US intelligence that incorrectly stated Saddam Hussein had weapons of destruction.

'A lot of people put their reputations on the line and said the weapons of mass destruction is a reason to remove Saddam Hussein,' Bush said in an interview with ABC News set to air Monday evening.

'It wasn't just people in my administration. A lot of members in Congress, prior to my arrival in Washington DC, during the debate on Iraq, a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence,' he said.

'I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess,' Bush added. Bush, only weeks ahead of leaving office Jan 20, would not speculate on whether he would have ordered the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 had the intelligence been correct.

'That is a do-over that I can't do,' Bush said.

Bush also said that he was not prepared for war when terrorists struck the United States on Sep 11, 2001, only eight months into his presidency.

'Well, I think I was unprepared for war. In other words, I didn't campaign and say, 'Please vote for me, I'll be able to handle an attack.' In other words, I didn't anticipate war,' he said.