George Bush touched down in Baghdad today on a farewell visit to a country that will define his presidency long after he leaves office next month.

The trip, his fourth as President, is aimed at celebrating a new security agreement between the United States and Iraq that sets out a timetable for all US forces leave the country by the end of 2011.

Security was tight as Air Force One, Mr Bush’s distinctive powder blue-and-white jetliner, landed at Baghdad International Airport in the afternoon local time.

As always, his whereabouts were kept secret until his arrival. Security remains a concern despite a drop in attacks since his last visit in September 2007.

Mr Bush is due to meet with senior US officials and Iraqi leaders during what will be his final tour to Iraq as President before Barack Obama takes office on January 20.

The latest visit comes a day after Robert Gates, the Defence Secretary, visited a sprawling military base in central Iraq. Mr Gates will be the lone Republican holdover from the Bush Cabinet in the Obama administration.

Mr Obama has promised to bring all US combat troops back home from Iraq a little over a year after taking office, as long as commanders agree a withdrawal would not endanger American personnel or Iraq's security.

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