"That museum was a terrible incident. I couldn't agree more with people who say we're sorry that happened," he told NBC television in his first exclusive interview since launching military action to topple Saddam Hussein.

Most of the national museum's priceless and irreplaceable exhibits were looted or destroyed after Baghdad fell to coalition troops, and the failure of US troops to prevent the April 11 sacking sparked global outrage.

"We are, by the way, helping find treasure, restore treasure and we'll provide all the expertise and help they need to get that museum up and running again," said Bush.

"But I wasn't surprised. It was vengeance, because it's like uncorking a bottle of frustration. These are people whose relatives were beaten, tortured, shocked, killed because they spoke out, because they disagreed with Saddam Hussein," he added.

"Therefore, it did not surprise me when people took vengeance on police stations, or took, you know, went out into government buildings and destroyed them," said the president.

Bush said he was "pleased" that the riots had "released some steam" and that life was "returning to normal."

"Things have settled down inside the country," he said.

SPACE.WIRE