WASHINGTON — The White House on Wednesday defended President Bush from criticism by Nouri al-Maliki after the embattled Iraqi prime minister lashed out at American lawmakers calling for a no-confidence vote on his regime.

“Prime Minister Maliki knows where the president stands,” National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters.

Johndroe said that after Bush’s comments Tuesday in Canada, the White House had tried to make clear that Bush was not distancing himself from Maliki.

“It appears that did not come through for whatever reason,” Johndroe said.

Speaking at a news conference in Syria earlier Wednesday, al-Maliki lashed out at comments made by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. — who this week said the Iraqi parliament should choose another leader. Al-Maliki complained that he wasn’t getting the support he expected from Bush.

“No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people,” al-Maliki said at the end of a three-day trip to Iraq’s neighbor.

“Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere,” al-Maliki said.

On Tuesday, Bush notably omitted an endorsement for al-Maliki while pointing to new successes in Iraq that have taken place since he ramped up troops earlier this year in his plan to pacify the country. Bush spoke in Quebec during a joint press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“The fundamental question is, will the government respond to the demands of the people?” the president said, without mentioning al-Maliki by name. “And if the government doesn’t … respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That’s up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians.”

“The Iraqis will decide,” Bush added. “They have decided they want a constitution. They have elected members to their parliament and they will make the decisions just like democracies do.

“Clearly, the Iraqi government’s got to do more,” Bush added.

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