Bush says replacing Maliki up to Iraqis

MONTEBELLO, Canada (AFP) - US President George W. Bush yesterday noted some "frustration" with political leaders in Baghdad, but said it was up to Iraqi voters whether to replace Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

"There's a certain level of frustration with the leadership in general," Bush said here at a summit with leaders of Canada and Mexico after a senior Democratic lawmaker called for Maliki's removal.

"The fundamental question is, will the government respond to the demands of the people? And if the government doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That's up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians," he said.