By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A bloody weekend with over 70 people dead and about 20 others wounded was the panorama that US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice left in Iraq.
While official sources today speak of nearly 20 victims in the clashes and bombings of the last two days, Rice congratulated the Iraqi government for advances in security.
Upon her arrival in Baghdad Sunday, the US diplomat came up against an ultimatum by Shiite clergyman Muqtada al Sader, warning of a possible open war if the foreign troops refuse to begin withdrawing gradually.
In the meantime, the Iraqi government declared it will not negotiate with al Sader, and the offensive against his militants will go on.
On Sunday, 40 people died in an operation in Nasiriya, south of Baghdad, involving over 300 soldiers, policemen, and special forces, backed up by the occupation army, the sources informed.
In Sadr city, clashes between the Mahdi Army and national and foreign troops left 31 Iraqis dead.
US military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stover, said the combats Saturday night were the fiercest of the last two weeks.