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US Iraq forces under new command US Iraq forces under new command
(40 minutes later)
The new commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen David Petraeus, has assumed control ahead of a fresh push to quell violence in Baghdad.The new commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen David Petraeus, has assumed control ahead of a fresh push to quell violence in 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 Iraq conflict, said his task was "hard but not hopeless" at a ceremony in Baghdad.Gen Petraeus, a veteran of the Iraq conflict, said his task was "hard but not hopeless" at a ceremony in Baghdad.
Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed in bombings in Baghdad already this year.Hundreds of Iraqis have been killed in bombings in Baghdad already this year.
'Last chance''Last chance'
The BBC's Andrew North, reporting from US Camp Victory in west Baghdad, says the ceremony took place in a marbled palace once occupied by Saddam Hussein and with his initials still on the decorated ceilings and walls.The BBC's Andrew North, reporting from US Camp Victory in west Baghdad, says the ceremony took place in a marbled palace once occupied by Saddam Hussein and with his initials still on the decorated ceilings and walls.
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'
In effect this marks the real start of the new US strategy in Iraq, but is also seen as a last chance to turn things around, our correspondent says.In effect this marks the real start of the new US strategy in Iraq, but is also seen as a last chance to turn things around, our correspondent says.
General George Casey, the outgoing commander now promoted to US Army chief of staff, emphasised an approach of trying to handover more quickly to Iraqi security forces.General George Casey, the outgoing commander now promoted to US Army chief of staff, emphasised an approach of trying to handover more quickly to Iraqi security forces.
But Gen Petraeus is overseeing the deployment of more American troops because of the failure so far of Iraqi units to deal with the sectarian violence.But Gen Petraeus is overseeing the deployment of more American troops because of the failure so far of Iraqi units to deal with the sectarian violence.
A short time after the ceremony, a car bomb exploded outside a Baghdad bakery. Police said two people were killed and five injured.
CrackdownCrackdown
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.
"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," he added, a phrase he later repeated at the handover ceremony in Iraq."But hard is not hopeless," he added, a phrase he later repeated at the handover ceremony in Iraq.
The BBC's Jane Peel in Baghdad says Gen Petraeus's 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's 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, our correspondent says.Mr Maliki has promised that all those involved in the violence will be legitimate targets, our correspondent 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.