US President George W Bush has given his first news conference since his Republican Party scored major victories in the country's mid-term elections on Tuesday.

Here are some of the key points in his remarks:

On Iraq:

"I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow - let me put it to you that way."

"We have to make sure [Saddam's] 11 years of defiance do not go unanswered... We expect Saddam to disarm. This time we mean it," the president said.

---

On North Korea:

"With North Korea, we're taking a different strategy initially. We're going to talk to countries in the neighbourhood to convince North Korea it is not in the world's interest that they develop [nuclear weapons]."

---

On homeland security:

"The most important thing to get done, I want to emphasise, is get a Department of Homeland Security finished.

"Some rumour is moving around that we may not be too keen on getting that done. I want it done. It is a priority.

"The election may be over, but a terrorist threat is still real. The Senate must pass a bill that will strengthen our ability to protect the American people. It's imperative that the Congress send me a bill that I can sign before the 107th Congress ends."

---

On the economy:

"The economy has come out of a recession and is growing but I am not satisfied and I know we can do better.

"We must have an economy to grow at a faster and stronger pace so Americans can find a job so I will work with a new Congress to pass new growth and job packages early next year."

---

On his vice-president:

"Should I decide to run [for re-election in 2004], Vice-President Cheney will be my running mate.

"He's done an excellent job. I appreciate his advice, I appreciate his counsel, I appreciate his friendship. He is a superb vice-president There's no reason for me to change."

---

On the mid-term elections:

"I think candidates win elections because they're good candidates, not because they may happen to have the president as a friend - or a foe, for that matter.

"The best way to win an election is to earn the trust of the voters, and that's what happened in state after state after state.

"And I think the way to look at this election is to say the people want something done."