Baghdad, 27 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad today, where he reportedly celebrated the U.S. holiday Thanksgiving with American troops. The brief visit was the first trip ever by a U.S. president to Iraq. The White House had previously said Bush would be spending Thanksgiving at his ranch in Texas with his family.
Details were not immediately available, but agencies are reporting Bush had dinnerat Baghdad International Airport with U.S. troops.
The visit comes during increased security fears in Iraq. On 22 November, a missile fired by unknown assailants struck a DHL cargo plane, forcing it to make an emergency landing at the airport with its wing aflame.
It was not immediately clear where Bush flew to after departing Baghdad.
Details were not immediately available, but agencies are reporting Bush had dinnerat Baghdad International Airport with U.S. troops.
The visit comes during increased security fears in Iraq. On 22 November, a missile fired by unknown assailants struck a DHL cargo plane, forcing it to make an emergency landing at the airport with its wing aflame.
It was not immediately clear where Bush flew to after departing Baghdad.