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Petraeus Hands Over Command of Iraq

Posted Sep 16, 08 2:56 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Citing a "long struggle" in Iraq despite his successes, Gen. David Petraeus handed over his command of the country, reports the BBC, amid a smattering of violence that served as a reminder of reversible gains. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised security gains made on Petraeus' watch as authority was passed to Gen. Ray Odierno, whom Petraeus praised as "the perfect man for the job." Two bomb blasts in Baghdad and one in Diyala province killed 34 people during Gates' visit.

"We have lost a lot of lives but it's really been an extraordinary effort of translation of a great strategy into a great success in very difficult circumstances," Gates told reporters. "The challenge for Odierno is how to work with the Iraqis to preserve the gains we've already achieved and expand them."

Source BBC

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Gen. David Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Baghdad yesterday.   (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, Pool)
A man wounded in twin car bombings is brought to a hospital in Baghdad yesterday.   (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Iraqis inspect damage made by two car bombs in a central commercial district of Baghdad.   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
US Commanding General of Multinational Forces in Iraq, David Petraeus is awarded for distinguished service by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a ceremony Monday, Sept. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, Pool)
Gen. David Petraeus has a distinguished service medal pinned to his uniform by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a ceremony Monday, Sept. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, Pool)
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Gen. David Petraeus and Defense Secretary Robert Gates talk before ceremonies in which Gates awarded Petraeus and Crocker for distinguished service, Monday, Sept. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, POOL)
Gen. David Petraeus speaks during a ceremony in which he was awarded for distinguished service by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 on the outskirts of Baghdad.   (AP Photo/Paul J. Richards, Pool)
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Iraq • Nouri al-Maliki • David Petraeus • insurgents • Robert Gates • car bomb • Iraq security • Ray Odierno


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