By Justin Webb BBC correspondent in Washington

Bush received a enthusiastic welcome

US President George W Bush has been rallying his troops with an address at the headquarters of the US Central Command in Florida - the base at the centre of planning for the Iraq operation before it began.

Mr Bush said the duration of the war could not be known, but America was prepared for the battle ahead and the day of reckoning for the Iraqi regime was drawing near.

But it was also announced that thousands of extra American troops are to be sent to the war soon.

The president's day began with an early-morning trip from Washington to Florida - the belligerent mood of the White House emphasised by the breakfast menu on Air Force One, which included a dish named "Freedom toast".

This war is far from over President Bush

In protest at France's anti-war stand, the word "French" is now banned.

At Central Command headquarters, Mr Bush delivered the expected rallying call.

His message: that the fight was a hard one but progress was being made.

"Our military's making good progress in Iraq, yet this war is far from over," he said.

"We cannot predict the final day of the Iraqi regime. But I can assure you, and I assure the long-suffering people of Iraq, there will be a day of reckoning for the Iraqi regime, and that day is drawing near."

Troops to Kuwait

The announcement that around 12,000 troops from the Fourth Infantry Division are to be sent to join their equipment in Kuwait further added to a sense here that the size of the military task might have been underestimated in the initial plans.

The Fourth Division, with its 200 tanks, was originally intended to go into Iraq through Turkey.

When permission for that attack was withheld by the Turks the troops were sent home with the intention that they would return as backup forces later.