DEVELOPMENTS

Other developments in Iraq on Sunday:

Still needs help: The Iraqi government defended its efforts to stabilize the country on the eve of a key U.S. progress report but said Sunday it needs more help and was not ready for a timetable on the withdrawal of American forces. Iraq issued a new appeal to neighboring countries to step up assistance at a conference that drew delegates from across the Middle East and representatives of the U.S., the U.N. and the Group of Eight industrialized nations. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said bordering countries had been slow to fulfill promises to stem the flow of fighters and weapons into Iraq.

More deaths: The U.S. military reported that an American soldier was killed Sunday in fighting in western Baghdad. A Marine died Friday in Iraq’s Anbar province in a noncombat related incident, the command said. At least 35 Iraqis also were reported killed or found dead Sunday, including 12 bullet-riddled bodies that were handcuffed and showed signs of torture.

Source: AP