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US 'must suspend' Iraq withdrawal US 'must suspend' Iraq withdrawal
(30 minutes later)
The top US military leader in Iraq Gen David Petraeus has recommended a suspension of troop withdrawals after July to protect gains in Iraq.The top US military leader in Iraq Gen David Petraeus has recommended a suspension of troop withdrawals after July to protect gains in Iraq.
Gen Petraeus praised "significant" but "uneven" improvements in security and said troop levels would need a period of evaluation in the summer.Gen Petraeus praised "significant" but "uneven" improvements in security and said troop levels would need a period of evaluation in the summer.
The general also condemned Iran for playing a "destructive role" in Iraq.The general also condemned Iran for playing a "destructive role" in Iraq.
His comments came in a progress report on Iraq, which he and US ambassador Ryan Crocker are giving to Congress.His comments came in a progress report on Iraq, which he and US ambassador Ryan Crocker are giving to Congress.
They began by testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.They began by testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
'Open-ended pause''Open-ended pause'
Gen Petraeus said security was better than the situation at the time of his last report to Congress in September and significantly better than before the start of the US troop surge at the beginning of last year. Gen Petraeus said security was better than the situation at the time of his last report to Congress in September and significantly better than before the start of the US troop surge at the beginning of last year. name="upagain"> class="bodl" href="#map">Graph of US troops and military deaths
The withdrawal of US troops is a key issue in the presidential campaign
But he said the situation "remains exceedingly complex and challenging".But he said the situation "remains exceedingly complex and challenging".
He said there could be "a resurgence of al-Qaeda Iraq" or Shia groups might violate the ceasefire order of influential Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.He said there could be "a resurgence of al-Qaeda Iraq" or Shia groups might violate the ceasefire order of influential Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Ambassador Crocker added: "What has been achieved is substantial, but it is also reversible." Gen Petraeus said the planned drawdown of about 20,000 troops should continue to July but that afterwards there should be a 45-day "period of consolidation and evaluation".
He said that "immense challenges remain and progress is uneven and often frustratingly slow, but there is progress". The withdrawal of US troops is a key issue in the presidential campaign
The chairman of the committee, the Democrat Carl Levin, had anticipated the call for a suspension of the drawdown of troops. "At the end of that period, we will commence a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground and, over time, determine when we can make recommendations for further reductions."
He said he could not say how many US troops would be in Iraq at the end of the year.
The US has 160,000 troops in Iraq now.
The chairman of the committee, the Democrat Carl Levin, had anticipated the call for a suspension of the drawdown.
Opening the hearing, he said an "open-ended pause from July" would be an "invitation to continuing dependency".Opening the hearing, he said an "open-ended pause from July" would be an "invitation to continuing dependency".
But Republican Senator John McCain said there was now a genuine chance of success in Iraq and that a withdrawal could result in a failure that might require the US to return later for a far more costly war.But Republican Senator John McCain said there was now a genuine chance of success in Iraq and that a withdrawal could result in a failure that might require the US to return later for a far more costly war.
"Our allies, Arab countries, the UN and the Iraqis themselves will not step up to their responsibilities if we recklessly retreat," he said."Our allies, Arab countries, the UN and the Iraqis themselves will not step up to their responsibilities if we recklessly retreat," he said.
Mr Levin also asked Gen Petraeus whether the recent Iraqi-led operation against militias in Basra was adequately prepared.
Gen Petraeus admitted that this was not the case.
Iraq sent thousands of troops to Basra in a failed attempt to force the Shia Mehdi Army militia into submission. Hundreds died in heavy fighting.
'Special groups'
Ambassador Crocker told the committee that a "major departure from our current engagement would bring failure".
He said that "al-Qaeda's leaders are looking for every opportunity they can to hang on... we cannot allow [al-Qaeda] a second chance".
Mr Crocker admitted that "progress is uneven and often frustratingly slow, but there is progress".
Iran came in for condemnation during the testimony.
Gen Petraeus accused it of funding and training Shia militias through cells the US terms "special groups".
Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker will later on Tuesday appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama serves. His rival Hillary Clinton is on the Armed Services Committee.
The issue of Iraq has featured prominently in the Democratic campaign, with Mr Obama contrasting his opposition to the invasion to the support both Mrs Clinton and Mr McCain gave it.
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