Bush said he is determined to persevere in Iraq 4 years after invasion

President George W. Bush pleaded for more patience in the Iraq war Monday, saying success is possible but "will take months, not days or weeks." He spoke as Democrats pushed for an end to the war now entering its fifth year.

The war has stretched longer, with higher costs, that the White House ever predicted. On the fourth anniversary of the day Bush directed the invasion to begin, the president made a televised statement from the White House to defend continued U.S. involvement, reports AP.

He said his plan to send 21,500 additional U.S. troops to secure Baghdad and Iraq's troubled Anbar Province "will need more time to take effect." He added: "There will be good days and bad days ahead as the security plan unfolds."