Iraq: 'fragile and reversible'

Last Modified: 08 Apr 2008
By: Sarah Smith

A year on from the surge, the commander of US forces delivers his progress report to Congress. Sarah Smith reports.

General David Petraeus has begun delivering his long-awaited report to Congress against the backdrop of a spike in US deaths - 11 killed in Iraq in the last two days.

The report also contains an interview with retired general Jack Keane, an early proponent of the surge.

Troop reductions

General Petraeus criticised the recent Iraqi security operation in Basra and called for troop reductions to be paused in July for a period of consolidation and evaluation.

Petraeus' troop predictions

His testimony was frequently interrupted by protestors. General Petraeus agrees the surge forces will leave by July, but then he wants a pause -of at least 45 days when no troops withdraw.

However, he will not say how many he thinks will still be there when a new presidnt takes charge in January.