The U.S. military says it is closer to capturing al-Qaida's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
U.S. Major General Rick Lynch made the remark Thursday in Baghdad, while showing reporters unedited video of the terrorist struggling to fire an automatic weapon. The video also shows al-Zarqawi wearing a black uniform and American-made running shoes.
General Lynch said U.S. forces discovered the video in April during in a series of raids south of Baghdad near Yousifiyah.
In Washington Thursday, President Bush said the U.S. goal in Iraq is to have an ally in the war on terror and to help the country establish an Iraqi-style democracy. He said a democratic Iraq will be a major blow -- in his words -- "to the terrorists who hate democracy."
And U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he expects the U.S. to be able to reduce its troop levels in Iraq once the new government takes office. Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki has until May 21st to submit a cabinet to the Iraqi parliament for approval.
Meanwhile, Iraqi police say at least nine people were killed and more than 40 others wounded Thursday in a suicide bombing outside a courthouse in Baghdad.
U.S. Major General Rick Lynch made the remark Thursday in Baghdad, while showing reporters unedited video of the terrorist struggling to fire an automatic weapon. The video also shows al-Zarqawi wearing a black uniform and American-made running shoes.
General Lynch said U.S. forces discovered the video in April during in a series of raids south of Baghdad near Yousifiyah.
In Washington Thursday, President Bush said the U.S. goal in Iraq is to have an ally in the war on terror and to help the country establish an Iraqi-style democracy. He said a democratic Iraq will be a major blow -- in his words -- "to the terrorists who hate democracy."
And U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he expects the U.S. to be able to reduce its troop levels in Iraq once the new government takes office. Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki has until May 21st to submit a cabinet to the Iraqi parliament for approval.
Meanwhile, Iraqi police say at least nine people were killed and more than 40 others wounded Thursday in a suicide bombing outside a courthouse in Baghdad.