U.S. Commander Says Iraq Crisis Has Passed
Mar 03 10:56 AM US/Eastern
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By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Friday it appears the crisis has passed as violence spawned by the bombing of a sacred mosque there continued with yet another deadly day.
While Gen. George Casey said anything can happen, he downplayed suggestions the country is headed for civil war.
"Now, it appears that the crisis has passed," Casey said in a briefing from Baghdad with reporters at the Pentagon. "But we all should be clear Iraqis remain under threat of terrorist attack by those who will stop at nothing to undermine the formation of the constitutionally elected government."
Thursday's violence between religious sects in Iraq claimed 58 lives.
Casey said any new major terrorist attack would have a significant impact on the country, and said the increased violence will affect his recommendations on future troop movements.
He said officials routinely hear about probable terrorist activity, but he would not confirm reports that intelligence has picked up warnings that a high profile attack in Iraq is being planned by al- Qaida.
"I think it's safe to say that a major attack, particularly on a religious site, would have a significant impact on the situation here coming in the next couple of days," he said.
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