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US surge plan in Iraq 'working' US surge plan in Iraq 'working'
(20 minutes later)
The military objectives of the US troop surge in Iraq "are largely being met", the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said.The military objectives of the US troop surge in Iraq "are largely being met", the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said.
Gen Petraeus' comments came as he and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker began testifying before Congress.Gen Petraeus' comments came as he and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker began testifying before Congress.
The testimony has been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq.The testimony has been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq.
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after the 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after the 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.
Gen Petraeus also told Congress that troops numbers could be reduced to pre-surge level by next summer without jeopardising the security situation in Iraq. Improvements 'uneven'
Gen Petraeus told the joint House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees that troops numbers could be reduced to pre-surge level by next summer without jeopardising the security situation in Iraq.
SURGE HEARINGS - KEY DATES 10 Sept - Gen Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker begin two days of testimony in Congress12 Sept - White House report to be released 13 Sept - President Bush TV address is expected Key quotes from hearing Buying time on Iraq US surge has failed - poll
He said the number of what he described as security incidents had declined significantly since the surge began.He said the number of what he described as security incidents had declined significantly since the surge began.
He said the number of civilian deaths had also gone down.He said the number of civilian deaths had also gone down.
But he acknowledged that improvements in security had been "uneven".But he acknowledged that improvements in security had been "uneven".
"While noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, although doing so will be neither quick, nor easy," he said."While noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, although doing so will be neither quick, nor easy," he said.
Gen Petraeus said his testimony had not been cleared by the Pentagon or the White House before he gave it, and that he had written it himself.Gen Petraeus said his testimony had not been cleared by the Pentagon or the White House before he gave it, and that he had written it himself.
His testimony was slightly delayed after a microphone did not work. Several hecklers were also removed from the hearing.His testimony was slightly delayed after a microphone did not work. Several hecklers were also removed from the hearing.
Shortly before his testimony, the US military said seven its troops were killed in what it described as a vehicle accident in Baghdad.
It said 11 US troops were wounded and two detainees who were being transported also died.
Iraq survey
The Congressional hearings come as a new opinion poll suggested about 70% of Iraqis believe security has deteriorated in the area covered by the surge.
When I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-ShivaBaghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your comments
The survey by the BBC, ABC News and NHK of more than 2,000 people across Iraq also suggests that nearly 60% see attacks on US-led troops as justified.
However, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said violence since the surge began had fallen 75% in the provinces of Baghdad and Anbar, and that 14,000 militants linked to al-Qaeda had renounced violence.
"We have succeeded in preventing Iraq from sliding into the abyss of a sectarian war which was threatening our beloved country," Mr Maliki told the Iraqi parliament on Monday.
'Talisman'
BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson says rarely has the testimony of a US general to Congress received so much advanced billing.
Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the general he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.
But there is a sense in Washington that his testimony may all be something of an anti-climax, our correspondent says.
Our correspondent says President Bush is hoping the general's more upbeat message on security will be enough to stave off calls for a timeline for a US withdrawal.
Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq.
On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008.
Mr Bush, who decides on force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision.