ANKARA- US President George W. Bush aimed to bolster ties with Turkey after strains over the war in Iraq , meeting with political and religious leaders as he touted the country as a model for the Muslim world.

The talks came just three days before new leaders are to take power in Turkey's neighbor Iraq, and as an Al-Qaeda linked Islamic group there threatened to decapitate three Turkish hostages.

"I appreciate very much the example that your country has set, on how to be a Muslim country, and at the same time a country which embraces democracy and rule of law and freedom," Bush said.

During a brief joint public appearance with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bush said they would discuss Iraq.

He also suggested Turkey "ought to be given a date" by the European Union for its eventual accession.

"This is my first trip to your beautiful country as president, it also happens to be my first trip to your beautiful country ever."  (astute redundancy -ed,)  And we're honored to be here. We appreciate the hospitality of the Turkish people," said Bush.

Bush was also to attend a NATO summit in Istanbul Monday and Tuesday, fortified by the alliance's commitment to train Iraq's new security forces and an EU endorsement of the interim Iraqi government set to take power Wednesday.

The US leader arrived here late Saturday amid tight security following a string of bomb attacks and protests over his visit, taking his armored car in a race from the airport to his posh downtown hotel.

He was to meet with religious leaders from Turkey's Muslim, Syrian Orthodox, Christian orthodox, and Armenian communities later in the day to highlight Turkey's pluralism and tolerance, values he hopes Iraq will adopt.

Bush traveled here from a US-EU summit in Ireland, his second fence-mending trip to Europe this month as the June 30 date for transferring power from the US-led military coalition in Iraq to an interim government.

Turkey, a NATO member, refused to allow Washington to use its bases to launch attacks on Iraq during the March 2003 invasion, and has expressed concerns about the role of the Kurds in that country's political future.

Seeking to soothe those concerns, Bush has said Iraq will not be partitioned to give Kurds in the northern part of the country a separate homeland, something Turkey worries might rekindle a rebellion by Kurdish separatists within its own borders.

The US leader's visit brought life in central Ankara to a near standstill, as authorities banned traffic and deployed thousands of police to guarantee his safety after a spate of bombings.

All main avenues and streets leading to the city center were blocked off, while police stopped even pedestrians from walking around Erdogan's official residence.

Helicopters overflew the city, while riot police with plastic shields stood guard at key junctions. Armored police vehicles were also on patrol.

The police department has cancelled all leave for Bush's visit and about 10,000 officers were expected to be on duty across the city.

Frustrated residents were seen arguing with police or asking for directions on how they can reach their destinations.

Authorities also closed the main road leading from the capital to the airport until after Bush wraps up his visit later in the day.

Security fears over the visit escalated Thursday when a bomb exploded outside the hotel where Bush was to stay in Ankara, injuring three people.

Shortly afterwards, a bomb went off in a public bus in Istanbul, killing four people and injuring 21 others.

A number of anti-American and anti-NATO demonstrations are also planned around the country.

Turkey has been on edge since November when 63 people were killed in four massive suicide bombings in Istanbul, blamed on local militants linked to the Al-Qaeda network.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Iraq, an Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic militant group threatened to kill three Turkish hostages unless Ankara pulls its companies out of Iraq within 72 hours, according to a videotape broadcast on Al-Jazeera television Saturday.

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