Washington ? President Bush said Thursday he wished the execution of Saddam Hussein “had gone in a more dignified way.” Bush also said he will make a speech next week announcing his long-awaited decisions about how to proceed in the unpopular war in Iraq.

Considering more troops to deal with the rising violence in Baghdad, Bush said, “One thing is for certain: I will want to make sure the mission is clear and specific and can be accomplished.” Senior generals have cautioned against sending additional troops unless their role is defined.

Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki spoke on a secure video hookup for nearly two hours. The White House said it could be their last conversation before Bush details his decisions.

Bush appeared later with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and recounted some of his discussions with al-Maliki.

The president said he talked with the prime minister about the final moments of Saddam’s life, when he was taunted before being hanged. An unauthorized video showed images of Saddam’s dangling body. The White House has been reluctant to criticize the proceedings, which have been condemned by some world leaders as deplorable.

“My personal reaction is that Saddam Hussein was given a trial that he was unwilling to give the thousands of people he killed,” Bush said. “He was given a fair trial – something he was unwilling to give thousands of Iraqi citizens who he brutalized.”

“I wish, obviously, that the proceedings had gone on in a more dignified way,” Bush said. “But, nevertheless, he was given justice. The thousands of people he killed were not.”

Bush has chosen not to view the video. White House press secretary Tony Snow said al-Maliki told Bush that Iraqi leaders were “pained at the filming.” The spokesman also stressed that the two leaders talked about Saddam as “a tyrant who killed hundreds of thousands” and the expectations that there would be some violence after his death.

Bush said he sought assurances from al-Maliki that he had the will to do the hard work necessary to protect Iraqis against rising sectarian violence.

“I believe Prime Minister Maliki has the will necessary to make the tough decisions,” the president said.

Bush announced that he would go before the nation next week with his long-anticipated speech about the next steps in Iraq. The war was a major factor in the Republicans’ loss of Congress and Bush’s slide in the polls. More than 3,000 members of the U.S. military have lost their lives in the war.

“I’ll be ready to outline a strategy that will help the Iraqis achieve the objective of a country that can govern, sustain and defend itself sometime next week,” the president said. “I’ve still got consultations to go through.” Some members of Congress have been invited to the White House today for discussions about Iraq.

Along with changes in policy, Bush also is rearranging his national security team. Retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell, a veteran of more than 25 years in the intelligence field, will be named today to succeed John Negroponte as national intelligence director, officials said.

In addition, Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, will be nominated to become the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, according to a senior Bush administration official. He is likely to be replaced in Baghdad by Ryan Crocker, a veteran American diplomat now U.S. envoy to Pakistan.

Gen. John P. Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, and Gen. George Casey, the chief general in Iraq, are both expected to leave their jobs in coming weeks.