Bush praises global Katrina help

US President George W. Bush on Friday thanked countries from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka for offers of help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and told storm survivors "we are not struggling alone."

He thanked Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for pledging 100 million dollars each and singled out Sri Lanka, still coping with the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami, for a 25,000-dollar donation.

"In this time of struggle, the American people need to know we are not struggling alone," he said. "I want to thank the world community for its prayers and for the offers of assistance that have come from all around the world."

The White House announced that the president would make his third visit to ravaged regions of the US Gulf Coast starting Sunday, with stops in Mississippi and Louisiana ahead of a late Monday return to Washington. - AFP