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| US pair renew testimony on Iraq | US pair renew testimony on Iraq |
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| The US military commander in Iraq and the US ambassador in Baghdad are facing a second day of testimony before Congress in Washington. | The US military commander in Iraq and the US ambassador in Baghdad are facing a second day of testimony before Congress in Washington. |
| On Monday, Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker told a hearing the troop build-up in Iraq was working. | On Monday, Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker told a hearing the troop build-up in Iraq was working. |
| Their questioners now include senators seeking the Democratic presidential nomination - all opposed to the war. | Their questioners now include senators seeking the Democratic presidential nomination - all opposed to the war. |
| One of them, Senator Joe Biden, told the hearing the "surge" had failed to lead to political peace among Iraqis. | |
| He said the build-up, which began in February, was "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos". | |
| The senators questioning Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker also include presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Christopher Dodd. | |
| Although all are opponents of the war, they differ on how the US should withdraw. | Although all are opponents of the war, they differ on how the US should withdraw. |
| See US troop positions before and after the surge | See US troop positions before and after the surge |
| BBC security correspondent Rob Watson says the senators' questions will be watched carefully by the party's grassroots supporters, where opinion is running strongly against the continued presence of US troops. | BBC security correspondent Rob Watson says the senators' questions will be watched carefully by the party's grassroots supporters, where opinion is running strongly against the continued presence of US troops. |
| PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress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] General Petraeus: Report charts [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 | 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] General Petraeus: Report charts [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 |
| During Monday's joint hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq this year. | During Monday's joint hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq this year. |
| "Security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge, he said. | "Security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge, he said. |
| He said that about 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year. | He said that about 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year. |
| Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker's testimonies were heavily criticised by some members of the congressional panel. | Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker's testimonies were heavily criticised by some members of the congressional panel. |
| 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. |
| "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. |
| Democrat Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey told the BBC Gen Petraeus was a "mouthpiece" of the White House, a position that he has flatly denied. | 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 that 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 that was "beginning to emerge as a professional force". |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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