LIMA, OHIO ? President Bush raised the possibility Thursday that any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction were destroyed before or during the U.S.-led war, suggesting for the first time that coalition troops may come up empty in their search.

Bush, who is expected to mark the end of hostilities soon, defied much of the world to wage war against Saddam Hussein in a bid to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. Iraqi leaders asserted the nation had none, and an intensive search by coalition forces has uncovered no proof so far of chemical or biological weapons or a nuclear weapons program.

“He tried to fool the United Nations and did for 12 years by hiding these weapons. And so it’s going to take time to find them,” the president said at the Lima Army Tank Plant. “But we know he had them. And whether he destroyed them, moved them or hid them, we’re going to find out the truth.”

In a TV interview, Bush said there was “some evidence” suggesting Saddam Hussein is dead. “The person who helped direct the (U.S. bombing) attacks believes that Saddam at the very minimum was severely wounded.”

But he added, “We would never make that declaration until we are more certain.”

He also said U.S. troops would remain in Iraq “as long as necessary.” In the interview, Bush was asked by NBC anchor Tom Brokaw if that could take as long as two years. “Could — or less,” Bush said. “Who knows?”

Senior administration officials began this week to scale back expectations that weapons of mass destruction would be found.