U.S. Report Gives Mixed Assessment On Iraq Progress

The report finds that the Iraqi government has achieved satisfactory progress on eight of the 18 benchmarks, unsatisfactory progress on another eight and mixed results on the remaining two.

The report notes progress in reducing violence and increased security. But it says the Iraqi government has not achieved major goals considered necessary to reducing sectarian violence, such as passing legislation to divide Iraq's oil revenues.

The report is an interim assessment of President George W. Bush's strategy to send extra troops to Iraq.

The top U.S. military general in Iraq, David Petraeus, is expected in September to give a full report on the success of Bush's strategy.

(with material from AP, AFP)