Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq 

    BAGHDAD, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday urged Iraqi leaders to work harder to achieve political and security targets.

    Khalilzad made the remarks in a joint press conference with General George Casey, the top commander of the U.S. military in Iraq, in Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone.

    Khalilzad said that the Iraqi government had agreed to develop a timetable for political and security progress by the end of the year.

    "Iraqi leaders have agreed to put a timeline to bring down violence, amend the constitution and dissolve militia," he said."Iraqi leaders also agreed on the necessity of reforming of security ministries, and we are coordinating with the prime minister to have a plan in this respect before the end of this year," he said.

    "Despite the difficult challenge we face, but success in Iraq was still possible and could be achieved in a realistic timetable," he said, vowing that "our goals for Iraq have not changed."

    For his part, General Casey said that Iraqi security forces should be able to take over security in the next 12 to 18 months."I believe in 12 to 18 months Iraqi security forces will be completely capable of taking over their own security," he said,disclosing that some 300 members of Iraqi security forces had been killed in clashes with insurgents in the past Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

    He also expressed Washington's willingness to cut its troop level in Iraq, but added that more forces will be called in if necessary.

    Khalilzad and Casey also accused Iraq's neighbors -- Iran and Syria, of trying to undermine the U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq,terming their roles as "decidedly unhelpful."

    The press conference was held three weeks before mid-term legislative elections in the United States. Enditem

U.S. commander sets 12-18 month timeframe for Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's own security forces should be able to take over security job within the next 12 to 18 months, General George Casey, the top commander of U.S. military in Iraq said Tuesday.

    "I believe in 12 to 18 months Iraqi security will be completely capable of taking over their own security," Casey said in a press conference held in Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone. <<Full Story