US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has praised what he termed "truly remarkable" changes in Iraq over the past two years. Saturday marks the second anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Mr. Rumsfeld told Pentagon employees on Friday Iraqis are building a future that will safeguard their liberties. He also said that U.S. and coalition force levels in Iraq should fall over time, but will "bulge" during key election periods later this year. Iraqis are due to hold a referendum on a new constitution by October and to hold elections on a new government by mid-December. Mr. Rumsfeld said U.S. force levels would be adjusted depending on the capabilities of Iraqi security forces. To mark the second anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, protesters are planning anti-war demonstrations and events in New York City and several other cities across the United States Saturday.