U.S. President George W. Bush expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's "courage and friendship" in supporting the war on Iraq during a telephone call Friday.

In a 10-minute conversation, Bush said he is "always moved" by Koizumi's firm support for Washington and that he highly values Japan's package of humanitarian aid measures announced immediately after the war began.

The Foreign Ministry also quoted Bush as saying the military operations in Iraq have been "going well." The president added that he believes the U.S-led forces will win with a minimum of innocent casualties.