US President George W. Bush voiced support for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Friday amid calls for the defense chief's resignation from retired generals.

In a statement issued by the White House, Bush said he talked with Rumsfeld earlier in the day, and that he reiterated his "strong support for his leadership during this historic and challenging time."

Rumsfeld's "energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period. He has my full support and deepest appreciation," he said.

Six retired generals called on Rumsfeld to resign recently, citing his mismanagement over the Iraq war.

"We need a new secretary of defense," retired major general Charles Swannack, who led the Army's 82nd Airborne Division on the ground in Iraq as recently as 2004, said on CNN on Thursday.

Other retired generals included John Batiste, who commanded the Army's 1st Infantry Division in Iraq in 2003 and 2004, and retired Marine General Anthony Zinni, former US Central Command chief.

Rumsfeld, born in July 1932, has served as US defense secretary since January 2001. He served as the youngest defense secretary from 1975 to 1977 under then President Gerald R. Ford.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2006)