LONDON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush says the war against terrorism launched by his son, President George W. Bush, must continue.
In a BBC interview Sunday, the former president said the United States and its allies are in for "the long haul."
Two years after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, the ex-president said his country is in better shape to avoid and withstand terrorism.
But, he admitted the war on terror will never be ended, and said this is now being seen inside Iraq.
The continuing impact of Sept. 11, 2001, on every U.S. citizen is what's driving support for the current president, even inside Iraq, the former president said.
On the rift between the United States and France, the former president advocated a reunion. He said it is important the United States remains friends with France, as they share international objectives.
But the former president is not sanguine about the Middle East peace process.
He believes the Israelis and Palestinians need to negotiate the creation of a Palestinian state, and hopes the Palestinians can suppress militant groups such as Hamas.
