U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus on May 22 told the Senate
Armed Services committee he will likely recommend further troop
withdrawals from Iraq in 2008, beyond the 140,000-troop reduction set to
wrap up in July, Bloomberg reported. Petraeus cited a decrease in
violence in Iraq, saying the level of "security incidents" is at its
lowest in four years. The decrease is due in part to an Iraqi security
force offensive against Shiite militants in Basra and eastern Baghdad,
Petraeus added. He made the speech at a confirmation hearing for his
promotion to commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East and Central
Asia.
http://www.stratfor.com/sitrep/u_s_petraeus_recommend_more_iraq_troop_withdrawals
