IRAQ \ Developments

The latest developments in Iraq:

The No. 2 U.S. commander in Iraq said Tuesday that the next three to four months will be crucial in determining whether the United States can start to withdraw troops from Iraq without sacrificing security gains since the troop buildup began early this year. Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno said the number of attacks in August fell to their lowest level in more than a year, although he gave no figures. Odierno insisted that overall violence was declining — a sign that the buildup ordered by President Bush was working.

On Tuesday, an al-Qaida front group announced on an Islamist Web site that it was forming new suicide battalions to strike at the Americans and their “renegade” allies — an apparent response to the burgeoning revolt against the terror movement. “These battalions, with God’s help, will perform their duties in an excellent manner during the month of Ramadan and the enemies of God will suffer a lot,” the statement said, referring to the Islamic season of fasting that begins in about two weeks.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged Tuesday to keep Britain’s Iraq policy in line with that of the United States, seeking to allay fears the country’s move out of the southern city of Basra marked the start of a major withdrawal. Brown told a news conference a decision on a potential future British troop cut would be taken only in consultation with the United States and other allies.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard assured Bush on Wednesday that his country’s troops will remain in Iraq at their current level for the foreseeable future. “Our committment to Iraq remains,” said Howard, one of Bush’s few remaining staunch war allies, after meetings between the two leaders. “This is not the time for any proposals of a scaling down of Australian forces.”

Source: Associated Press