US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld has said US troops are encountering serious problems in Iraq but are still in control of the country.
During a Pentagon briefing last night, Mr Rumsfeld also said a relatively small number of people were causing violence. He added that the Pentagon may delay the return home of some of the US troops in Iraq to deal with the current violence.
There are about 135,000 US troops in Iraq. New flashpoints have flared up across the country as US-led forces face a two-front war against Sunni Muslim guerrillas and Shia militiamen. Three days of fighting have killed 35 American and allied soldiers and at least 200 Iraqis.
"This is an important moment in Iraq's history. The future of the Iraqi people is certainly at stake. So the stakes are high. They're high for Iraq, they're high for the region and indeed they're high for the world," Mr Rumsfeld said.
He said "there's nothing like an army" or "large elements of hundreds of people trying to overthrow or to change the situation".
"You have a mixture of (a) small number of terrorists, a small number of militias, coupled with some demonstrations and some lawlessness. It's a serious problem, and the problem's being worked," Mr Rumsfeld said.
He also urged pilgrims to be careful. April 12th is the second holiest religious day for Shias, an emotional time when as many as three million Shias will be on pilgrimages.
"We caution all pilgrims that the holy cities are potentially dangerous places during this period," Mr Rumsfeld said