Seven US soldiers killed in Iraq attack

‘‘These are tragic incidents but they don’t lessen our resolve to complete our mission … of securing the streets, going after insurgents and providing a safe environment for the coming election,’’ Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, a senior military spokesman, said.

Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, senior US ground commander in Iraq, said on Thursday four of the country’s 18 provinces remained too insecure for elections and that he could ‘‘not guarantee that every person who wants to vote … can do that safely’’. The area encompasses more than a third of Iraq, including the Fertile Crescent, the heart of the country’s ancient civilisations and still a crucial lifeline of commerce.

President George W. Bush said on Friday the US Military will do its best to give every Iraqi citizen the chance to vote on Jan. 30 but acknowledged that guerrilla action could disrupt voting in four provinces. Bush also dismissed criticism from his father’s national security advisor that the January 30 polls would deepen the Shia-Sunni divide in Iraq.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, The New York Times reported, has asked a retired four-star US general Gary Luck to review US military policy in Iraq.

In Fort Hood, Texas, the trial began of Charles Graner, the prime accused in Abu Ghraib scandal. He is expected to argue that he was following orders while allegedly abusing prisoners at the facility.