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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US Iraq forces under new command | US Iraq forces under new command |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The new commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen David Petraeus, is assuming control, ahead of a fresh push to quell violence in the capital, Baghdad. | |
| Gen Petraeus will oversee President George W Bush's security plan, under which 21,500 extra American troops will be sent to Iraq. | Gen Petraeus will oversee President George W Bush's security plan, under which 21,500 extra American troops will be sent to Iraq. |
| Gen Petraeus, a veteran of the conflict, has called his task "hard but not hopeless". | Gen Petraeus, a veteran of the conflict, has called his task "hard but not hopeless". |
| Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed in bombings in Baghdad this year alone. | Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed in bombings in Baghdad this year alone. |
| Gen Petraeus was named as Gen George Casey's replacement last month - part of a major shake-up of the US military tackling the conflict in Iraq. | Gen Petraeus was named as Gen George Casey's replacement last month - part of a major shake-up of the US military tackling the conflict in Iraq. |
| Gen Casey has been promoted to US Army chief of staff. | Gen Casey has been promoted to US Army chief of staff. |
| Crackdown | Crackdown |
| Gen Petraeus has backed Mr Bush's plan to deploy additional troops, but has warned that the task in Iraq is a tough one. | Gen Petraeus has backed Mr Bush's plan to deploy additional troops, but has warned that the task in Iraq is a tough one. |
| LT GEN DAVID PETRAEUS 1974: Graduated from West Point Military Academy2003: Commanded 101st Airborne Division during invasion of Iraq2007: Named new US commander in Iraq Petraeus: Bush 'last hope' | LT GEN DAVID PETRAEUS 1974: Graduated from West Point Military Academy2003: Commanded 101st Airborne Division during invasion of Iraq2007: Named new US commander in Iraq Petraeus: Bush 'last hope' |
| "The situation in Iraq is dire. The stakes are high. There are no easy choices. The way ahead will be very hard," he said, testifying to the Senate armed forces committee last month. | "The situation in Iraq is dire. The stakes are high. There are no easy choices. The way ahead will be very hard," he said, testifying to the Senate armed forces committee last month. |
| "But hard is not hopeless." | "But hard is not hopeless." |
| The BBC's Jane Peel in Baghdad says Gen Petraeus' chances of success could be helped by an apparently changed attitude from the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki. | The BBC's Jane Peel in Baghdad says Gen Petraeus' chances of success could be helped by an apparently changed attitude from the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki. |
| Mr Maliki has promised that all those involved in the violence will be legitimate targets, she says. | Mr Maliki has promised that all those involved in the violence will be legitimate targets, she says. |
| In the past, his Shia dominated government has been accused of protecting the Shia militias. | In the past, his Shia dominated government has been accused of protecting the Shia militias. |
| No-one in Baghdad expects an overnight transformation, but both the Iraqis and the Americans will be desperate for some early and tangible results, our correspondent adds. | No-one in Baghdad expects an overnight transformation, but both the Iraqis and the Americans will be desperate for some early and tangible results, our correspondent adds. |
| US and Iraqi forces have been carrying out a low-level offensive against Shia militias in the capital for weeks, seen as a prelude to a major campaign. | US and Iraqi forces have been carrying out a low-level offensive against Shia militias in the capital for weeks, seen as a prelude to a major campaign. |
| The new offensive will involve US and Iraqi forces, thousands of whom are already on the ground, sweeping Baghdad for militants and illegally held weapons, US military officials say. | The new offensive will involve US and Iraqi forces, thousands of whom are already on the ground, sweeping Baghdad for militants and illegally held weapons, US military officials say. |
| The Iraqi government has said it will announce guidelines for the new plan in the coming days. | The Iraqi government has said it will announce guidelines for the new plan in the coming days. |
| However Mr Bush's plan continues to face considerable opposition both from Democrats and members of his own Republican party, who want an earlier transfer of security to Iraqi leaders. | However Mr Bush's plan continues to face considerable opposition both from Democrats and members of his own Republican party, who want an earlier transfer of security to Iraqi leaders. |