WASHINGTON - The following are the main points from testimony by the US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, on the security situation in Iraq before a US congressional hearing.

SUCESS OF SURGE:
The US military build-up in Iraq has been successful, Petraeus said.
"The military objectives of the surge are in large measure being met," Petraeus said.
Civilian deaths have "declined significantly", as have attacks using improvised explosive devices, or roadside bombs; car bombings and suicide attacks", Petraeus said, describing the trend as heartening.

REDUCING US FORCES:
In the light of the improved security situation in Iraq, US troop numbers could be reduced "to pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by mid-July 2008."
But the US troop drawdown must be undertaken gradually to avoid "the further release of the strong centrifugal forces in Iraq and produce a number of dangerous results."
Those include "a high risk of disintegration of the Iraqi security forces, rapid deterioration of local security initiatives, Al-Qaeda Iraq regaining lost ground and freedom of maneuver, a marked increase in violence and further ethno-sectarian displacement and refugee flows, alliances of convenience by Iraqi groups with internal and external forces to gain advantages over their rivals, and exacerbation of already challenging regional dynamics especially with respect to Iran."

LONG-TERM TROOP DRAWDOWN:
Reductions in US forces would continue beyond the summer of 2008, but Petraeus warned against making premature recommendations on the pace of such reductions.
"Our experience in Iraq has repeatedly shown that projecting too far into the future is not just difficult, it can be misleading and even hazardous.
"I do not believe it is reasonable to have an adequate appreciation for the pace of further reductions and mission adjustments beyond the summer of 2008 until about mid-March of next year.

IRAN:
Petraeus accused Iran of fighting a "proxy war" in Iraq, through Shiite militias.
"It is increasingly apparent to both coalition and Iraqi leaders that Iran, through the use of the Quds force, seeks to turn the Iraqi special groups into a Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq," Petraeus said.

AL-QAEDA:
Petraeus hailed as "the most significant development in the past six months... the increasing emergence of tribes and local citizens rejecting Al-Qaeda and other extremists."
But he warned that Al-Qaeda has only been unbalanced, not defeated.

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES:
Iraqi security forces have matured and taken on more responsibility, without coalition oversight.
"Iraqi security forces have continued to grow, to develop their capabilities, and to shoulder more of the burdens of providing security for their country.
"Despite their shortages, many Iraqi units across Iraq now operate with minimal coalition assistance," said Petraeus.
"As counterinsurgency operations require substantial numbers of boots on the ground, we are helping the Iraqis expand the size of their security forces.

CYBER WAR:
The war in Iraq is being fought not only on the ground but also in cyberspace.
Petraeus cited the need to combat "the enemy's growing use of that important medium to spread extremism."

kdz/ddl

09/10/2007 19:48 GMT