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Iraq welcomes US surge 'progress' Iraq welcomes US surge 'progress'
(about 2 hours later)
The Iraqi government has welcomed a positive report on the progress of the US military surge in Iraq by the top US commander there.The Iraqi government has welcomed a positive report on the progress of the US military surge in Iraq by the top US commander there.
Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie praised the US' "enormous sacrifice" and predicted a reduced combat role for US troops.Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie praised the US' "enormous sacrifice" and predicted a reduced combat role for US troops.
Gen David Petraeus told a Congressional panel violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq.Gen David Petraeus told a Congressional panel violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq.
But his verdict was heavily criticised by US opposition politicians.But his verdict was heavily criticised by US opposition politicians.
Gen Petraeus said "security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge.Gen Petraeus said "security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge.
PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [64 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here In his testimony before a joint hearing by the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, he said he thought around 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year. PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/10_09_07_petraeus_charts.pdf">General Petraeus: Report charts [64 KB] class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/10_09_07_crocker.pdf">Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [64 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here In his testimony before a joint hearing by the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, he said he thought around 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year.
US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker has also been testifying.US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker has also been testifying.
Iraq's Mr Rubaie said Iraq was prepared for the US to reduce its forces.Iraq's Mr Rubaie said Iraq was prepared for the US to reduce its forces.
"We anticipate in the near term a relaxation of the requirement for coalition forces to be in direct combat operation," he told a press conference in Baghdad."We anticipate in the near term a relaxation of the requirement for coalition forces to be in direct combat operation," he told a press conference in Baghdad.
But he warned against a quick withdrawal of US troops, saying: "We know that for some time we will continue to need the support of coalition forces."But he warned against a quick withdrawal of US troops, saying: "We know that for some time we will continue to need the support of coalition forces."
The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says residents of the Iraqi capital agree that violence has fallen - but not enough to allow them to leave their homes without fear.The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says residents of the Iraqi capital agree that violence has fallen - but not enough to allow them to leave their homes without fear.
Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker were due to face further questioning in Congress on Tuesday.Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker were due to face further questioning in Congress on Tuesday.
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 Iraqis untouched by surge Making the case for US policy Buying time on IraqSURGE 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 Iraqis untouched by surge Making the case for US policy Buying time on Iraq
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says US President George W Bush hopes the two men's sober but overall positive assessment will now make it much harder to argue for America to pull out of Iraq.The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says US President George W Bush hopes the two men's sober but overall positive assessment will now make it much harder to argue for America to pull out of Iraq.
But their presentation is unlikely to significantly alter US public opinion or even shed any new light on the war, our correspondent says.But their presentation is unlikely to significantly alter US public opinion or even shed any new light on the war, our correspondent says.
Indeed they were heavily criticised by some politicians for their upbeat assessment on Monday.Indeed they were heavily criticised by some politicians for their upbeat assessment on Monday.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos said the surge was a strategic failure, and that it was time for troops to leave.House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos said the surge was a strategic failure, and that it was time for troops to leave.
When I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-Shiva,Baghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your commentsWhen I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-Shiva,Baghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your comments
"We need to get out of Iraq, for that country's sake and for our own. It is time to go," he said."We need to get out of Iraq, for that country's sake and for our own. It is time to go," he said.
Another Democrat Congresswoman, Lynn Woolsey, told the BBC Gen Petraeus was a "mouthpiece" of the White House, a position that he has flatly denied.Another Democrat Congresswoman, Lynn Woolsey, told the BBC Gen Petraeus was a "mouthpiece" of the White House, a position that he has flatly denied.
But Republican Duncan Hunter defended the general, saying US progress had led to gains by Iraqi security forces, including an army which was "beginning to emerge as a professional force".But Republican Duncan Hunter defended the general, saying US progress had led to gains by Iraqi security forces, including an army which was "beginning to emerge as a professional force".
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.