Mr Bush said 'it's going to be hard for any nation to trump Great Britain as our - United Kingdom as our greatest ally.' -- PHOTO: REUTERS

'I have always said that the relationship with the United Kingdom is a special relationship. And that relationship was never as special as it was during times of conflict,' Mr Bush said when asked if France would take Britain's place as top ally.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in October announced plans to cut British troop numbers in Iraq from 4,100 to around 2,500 early this years, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday said France planned to send more troops to Afghanistan.

While admitting US relations with France were improving since Sarkozy was elected 10 months ago, Mr Bush said 'it's going to be hard for any nation to trump Great Britain as our - United Kingdom as our greatest ally.'

Regarding Britain's decision to reduce its military footprint in Iraq, Mr Bush did not take it in a negative way, saying: 'you were there from day one, and you were there during the very heavy fighting.'

The scaleback, he added, was 'based upon success.' Britain in December transferred control to Iraqi forces in southern Basra.

The recent upsurge in fighting there, however, has led to a delay in the withdrawal of 1,500 troops from the area until the end of this year, in case Britain may be asked to step up its role again.

Regarding the upsurge in violence in Basra, where Iraqi forces are taking on local militia, Mr Bush said he considered it 'a very positive moment in the development of a sovereign nation, that is willing to take on elements that are ... beyond the law.

'And secondly, we are helping, but it's important to know that the Iraqis are in the lead ... We will provide oversight and, on occasion, support when asked. This is an Iraqi operation.' -- AFP