Lieutenant General David Petraeus cautioned, however, against expecting quick results, and said no amount of U.S. effort will succeed unless Iraqis learn to compromise politically.
He spoke at his Senate confirmation hearing to replace General George Casey as the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
Petraeus said the U.S. military needs greatly increased contributions from other federal agencies to stabilize Iraq, which is rocked by political divisions, a weak economy, a battered infrastructure, and police corruption.
If confirmed, Petraeus will implement Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq, mostly to Baghdad.
(AP, Reuters)
Iraq In Transition
Iraq In Transition
THE COMPLETE STORY: RFE/RL's complete coverage of events in Iraq and that country's ongoing transition.
