US President George W Bush Thursday declared himself "not satisfied" with efforts so far to promote human rights and political reforms in Zimbabwe and urged its neighbors to keep up pressure for change.

"The only time that this government and I, personally, will be satisfied is when there is an honest government, reformed government in Zimbabwe," he told African reporters. "That hasn't happened yet; therefore, we're not satisfied." Prodded, Bush said he was not pleased "with the process" and "certainly not" with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, whose country lies in the grips of a festering political and social crisis, with the economy in chaos and more than five million people in need of donated food.

He also indicated he hoped South African President Thabo Mbeki -- with whom he met during a July trip to Africa -- would continue to lead regional efforts to put pressure on Mugabe.

"Our government has not changed our opinion about the need for the region to deal with Zimbabwe and the leadership there," said Bush, who added that he had sent the same message to Mozambique's President Joaquim Chissano when they met last month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"When President Mbeki says they are working on it, to achieve this goal, I take him for his word. And I am going to remind all parties that the goal is a reformed and fair government. And that hasn't been achieved yet. And we'll continue to press the issue, both privately and publicly," said Bush.

The US president was speaking at a roundtable with African media to set the stage for Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's October 6 state visit to the United States - Sapa-AFP