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US 'not winning conflict in Iraq'
US Defence Secretary nominee Robert Gates has told a Senate committee that the US is not winning the war in Iraq.
Mr Gates told a confirmation hearing he was open to new ideas on Iraq, but warned the situation there would shape the Middle East for years to come.
He is set to be confirmed to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who quit last month amid criticism of his Iraq policy.
The next chairman of the committee said Mr Gates would face a "monumental challenge" in Iraq if he got the job.
Senate hearings on Mr Gates's nomination began a day before the Iraq Study Group - of which Mr Gates was a member - publishes its findings.
The session also came on another violent day in Iraq.
More than 30 people were killed in shootings and car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. At least 30 more died in violence in northern and south-western Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6209356.stm
US Defence Secretary nominee Robert Gates has told a Senate committee that the US is not winning the war in Iraq.
Mr Gates told a confirmation hearing he was open to new ideas on Iraq, but warned the situation there would shape the Middle East for years to come.
He is set to be confirmed to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who quit last month amid criticism of his Iraq policy.
The next chairman of the committee said Mr Gates would face a "monumental challenge" in Iraq if he got the job.
Senate hearings on Mr Gates's nomination began a day before the Iraq Study Group - of which Mr Gates was a member - publishes its findings.
The session also came on another violent day in Iraq.
More than 30 people were killed in shootings and car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. At least 30 more died in violence in northern and south-western Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6209356.stm