White House says Bush mourns all 4,000 dead in Iraq

By David Alexander

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House, Pentagon and political leaders expressed sorrow on Monday as the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq hit 4,000, days after President George W. Bush marked the fifth anniversary of the conflict.

Bush was saddened by the deaths and felt responsible for ensuring the United States was ultimately successful, the White House said after a roadside bomb in Iraq killed four U.S. soldiers, pushing the toll to a new milestone.

"It's a sober moment, and one that all of us can focus on in terms of the number of 4,000," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. Bush himself did not address the issue in public.

"The president feels each and every one of the deaths very strongly and he grieves for their families," Perino said. "He obviously is grieved by the moment but he mourns the loss of every single life."

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said: "Every single loss of a soldier, sailor, airman and Marine is keenly felt by us in the department, by military commanders, by families, friends, both in theatre and here at home."

Precise Iraqi casualties in the conflict are not known but the widely cited human rights group Iraq Body Count said earlier this month that up to around 89,300 civilians have been killed since 2003.

'BRING TROOPS HOME'

Democratic political leaders also discussed the new milestone. Presidential contender Barack Obama paid tribute to the dead but said the war should never have been waged and troops should be brought home soon.