Bush calls for Mideast reforms ignites annoyance in region

AMMAN (AFP) — Washington's friends and foes in the Middle East expressed exasperation and outrage after US President George W. Bush harshly picked on four of them for failing to push for democratic reforms.

In his State of the Union address Wednesday Bush issued stern warnings to arch-foes Iran and Syria and, in a rare move, admonished close allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Iran "remains the world's primary state sponsor of terror -- pursuing nuclear weapons while depriving its people of the freedom they seek and deserve", Bush said.

"To the Iranian people, I say tonight: As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you," he said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran accused him of ignorance.

"Mr Bush has forgotten that the great Iranian people, through the Islamic revolution 26 years ago, put an end to the dominant influence and presence of the United States in ...