US troops withdrawal in Iraq to pause

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-09-2008 13:36

The top US commander in Iraq wants to suspend further troop cuts for 45 days after the planned pullout of five combat brigades by the end of July.

David Petraeus says there is significant, but uneven security progress in Iraq. (CCTV.com)

David Petraeus says there is significant, but uneven security progress in Iraq.

He admits the gains are not easy to keep, making necessary a pause in the troop drawdown.

He says recent violence in Iraq shows that progress is fragile and reversible.

He recommends a 45-day period of consolidation and evaluation. Under Petraeus' proposal, there will be 140-thousand US troops in Iraq by late July.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei