U.S. Says Western Iraqi Town Mostly Cleared Of Insurgents

9 November 2005 -- The U.S. military says most insurgents have been cleared out of a western Iraqi town near the Syrian border in an operation against militants in the region.

A U.S. military statement today said the main part of Operation Steel Curtain in Husaybah was completed late yesterday but patrols and raids are continuing against remnants.

The United States says it has detained around 180 insurgents and killed at least 36 more since Operation Steel Curtain started on 5 November. One U.S. Marine was shot dead.

The operation is the latest in a series of offensives aimed at securing western Iraq against insurgents before the 15 December national elections.

In Baghdad, Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad bin Hilli today ended a visit to Iraq by calling for Iraqi political and religious leaders to meet in Cairo to discuss a possible national reconciliation conference.

Also today, a driver for the Sudanese Embassy was shot dead as he left the Palestinian Mission in Baghdad.

(Reuters/AFP/AP)