Proving that the Surge has provided a stable background and returnned many areas of Iraq into safe havens from terrorist attacks religious leaders from both Sunni and Shia sects met recently to discuss the progress of peace and security.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the top-ranking Shia cleric in Iraq, hosted the meeting, calling for an end to the sectarian violence that has plagued the country. Leading Sunni religious figures also attended, including Sheikh Khalid al-Mullah of the Sunni Muslim Scholars Association.
The an-Najaf talks come at a time when other factors, including the troop surge, the change in military tactics, the increasing effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces and the formation of Concerned Local Citizens groups, are having a positive impact on the security situation, military officials said.
Violence in Iraq is at its lowest level since January 2006.
Attack levels are continuing a downward trend that began in June of this year, with the number of weekly attacks reaching its lowest level since early February 2006 -- before the Samarra mosque bombing that month. Iraqi civilian deaths have also declined in recent months, and despite some sensational attacks on civlian targets, have been on a general downward trend since December 2006.
Even Mr. Murtha the mouth peace of doom and gloom has had to admit that progress is occuring and the surge is working. While leaders on teh ground admit that, "There is still a lot of work to be done..." the efforts towards peace by Sistani, Mullah and other religious leaders, demonstrate their concern for the safety of all Iraqis.
This is progress that can not be ignored.
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