Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

A resident looks at a U.S. soldier of 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armoured Cavalry Regiment standing guard in a market in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, Sept. 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    NEW YORK, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said here on Saturday that the two countries are close to a security deal.

    "We are very close. I have said many times that I think it is in the final stages and this would need the support of all the political leaders about this agreement," Zebari said before his meeting with Rice on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

    "I hope there will be some good news for both of us and also to sustain and maintain the political and security gains that have been achieved in Iraq," he said.

    Rice said there has been "good progress" in the talks of the security deal, although she said certain protections are needed to be agreed for the U.S. forces stationed in Iraq.

    The two countries have been negotiating the security deal as the UN mandate in Iraq will expire at the end of this year. According to both sides, the deal will not include a clear timetable for U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq and a U.S. pullout will depend on security conditions in Iraq.

New commander of U.S.-led troops sees gains in Iraq "fragile"

    BAGHDAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- General Ray Odierno, the new commander of U.S.-led troops in Iraq said Tuesday that gains in the country are "fragile and reversible."

    In a ceremony held at a former Saddam Hussein palace turned U.S. military base near Baghdad airport, Odierno warned of tough task ahead despite relative lull of violence partially attributed to a U.S. military "surge" strategy. Full story

U.S. defense secretary pays surprise visit to Iraq

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates arrives at Baghdad airport Sept. 15, 2008.  (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BAGHDAD, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad on Monday for an unannounced visit, the U.S. CNN television reported.

    "Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad to attend ceremony of handing over the command of the war in Iraq to a new general," the report said.   Full story

Iraq, U.S. close to security accord, says FM

    GENEVA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq and the United States are close to a security accord which could clear the way for large-scale U.S. troop withdrawals by 2001, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said here on Saturday.

    "We have a single text, a final draft ... It is up to the political leadership now to make a political decision," Zebari told reporters on the sidelines of an international security conference.  Full story

U.S. defense chief sees Iraq war in "endgame"

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that the Iraq war has entered "endgame," but the situation there remains "fragile."

    Speaking before the House Armed Services Committee, he cautioned that U.S. decisions on the war in the coming months "will be critical to regional stability and our national security interests in the years to come."   Full story

Bush to pull back 8,000 troops from Iraq next year

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday that he will withdraw some 8,000 troops from Iraq earlier next year when he is leaving office.

    Bush made the announcement in a speech at the National Defense University in Washington.  Full story