The top US. military commander and diplomat in Iraq are facing U.S. lawmakers Tuesday for a second day.
General David Petraeus told a House hearing Monday that the U.S. military surge is working in Iraq and he expects to begin reducing the number of American troops during the next year. He and Ambassador Ryan Crocker are testifying at Senate commitees today.
Petreaus said the eight-month troop build-up has led to a reduction in civilian casualties and that other military goals are largely being met. He said the 30,000 additional troops could be home by the middle of next year.
Ambassador Crocker cited slow progress in political reconciliation among Iraq's various ethnic and sectarian factions, but said abandoning the effort would cause massive human suffering and possibly a regional conflict.
Lawmakers questioned the the pair for more than five hours on Monday. Some Democratic Party members expressed skepticism the two were giving an unbiased evaluation.
On Monday, General Petraeus also accused Iran of seeking to fight a "proxy war" with the Iraqi state and coalition forces by supporting Shi'ite militants in Iraq. Iran has denied such charges in the past.
The general said he is encouraged that the rejection of al-Qaida in Iraq by tribal leaders in Anbar province is spreading to other areas. He also said he will deliver another report on the situation in Iraq next March.
Monday's proceedings were interrupted at various times by anti-war protesters, who were removed from the room and arrested.
