IRAQ:The outgoing US ambassador to Iraq yesterday delivered a blunt farewell message to Iraq's leadership, saying the Bush administration's patience was wearing thin and urging them to stem the bloodshed.
Zalmay Khalilzad, who is due to leave today after 21 months in Iraq, said that despite encouraging results from the US-Iraqi security plan, which had reduced attacks by 25 per cent in its first six weeks, "there is a lot more that needs to be done".
He said: "Success requires Iraq and Iraqi leaders to make the compromises necessary to reduce the sources of violence."
Mr Khalilzad also confirmed reports that US and Iraqi officials were talking to insurgent groups and tribes in the volatile Sunni areas in an attempt to draw them away from violence and isolate foreign jihadi groups.
The Afghan-born diplomat warned of growing pressure to commit to a timetable for withdrawal saying "the patience of the American people is running out". However he insisted that Iraq was heading in the right direction and that success was possible. - ( Guardian service )