Petraeus: progress in Iraq remains fragile

17/03/2010
Washington - Agencies - weekly news agency - The commander of the central region in the U.S. Army General David Petraeus said progress in Iraq remains fragile, despite the successes achieved in recent times, including the low level of violence and the success of parliamentary elections.

Petraeus made clear in his testimony during a meeting of the Armed Services Committee in the U.S. Senate Tuesday.

He said: "The progress in Iraq remains fragile, and can turn things upside down, Iraq still faces many challenges that will be clear during the phase is likely to be difficult, as working members of the House of Representatives to choose the new presidents of the republic and the government and the Council House of Representatives, as well as to reach satisfactory solutions to the other major issues. "

Petraeus pointed out that the situation in Iraq has improved markedly in recent times.

He said: "We have witnessed the security situation in Iraq has improved considerably, the volume of attacks has declined and the number of civilians killed by violence and the number of quality operations to more than 90 percent, which was the case in 2006 and 2007. Has resulted in improved security for positive development in the other areas, including the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and providing basic services and attract more foreign investment. "


The success of the Taliban to undermine the gains

With regard to Afghanistan, to expect Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, the continued military operations there despite the increase in the number of U.S. troops there.

The General in his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Senate: "It will be a tough year this year, and will succeed in undermining the gains achieved by the Taliban and to stop the momentum gained in some areas, and will also witness a fierce and frequent setbacks."

And Gen. Petraeus: "Our goals in Afghanistan and the region are clear, disable and dismantle al-Qaeda and eradicate the extremists and its allies, and to create conditions in Afghanistan to prevent the re-establishment of a haven for extremist groups and al-Qaeda had before atheist of September."

Military action against Iran is still an option

With regard to Iran, "said Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, said efforts by Iran to develop nuclear weapons a little late, and expressed confidence in the inability of Iran from making nuclear bomb this year.

The General Petraeus in his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in the U.S. Senate that military action against Iran remains an option for the United States to confront the intransigence of Iran not to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

But he added: "It is now clear for Iran after every possible opportunity and extending the hand and provide an opportunity for diplomacy to resolve these issues, the emphasis has now shifted to what is known as the path of pressure, which includes a number of penalties, but I do not want to talk about at this stage."

He said that the United States precautions were taken with a number of countries in the Middle East and Europe to counter any possible attack from Iran.

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