Petraeus: Al-Qaida attacks down 60 percent

BAGHDAD, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- While al-Qaida in Mesopotamia remains the major terrorist threat in Iraq, attacks are down by 60 percent since June, the top U.S. commander said Saturday.

Giving reporters a summary of the year, Gen. David Petraeus said both military and civilian deaths are down, The New York Times reported.

"The level of attacks for about the last 11 weeks or so has been one not seen consistently since the late spring and summer of 2005," he said. "The number of high-profile attacks, that is car bombs, suicide car bombs and suicide vest attacks, is also down, also roughly 60 percent."

The "high-profile attacks" peaked in March.

At another briefing, a spokesman for the Iraqi Interior Ministry said coalition forces have reduced al-Qaida's capacity by 75 percent by rolling up networks and destroying safe houses.

Petraeus acknowledged that al-Qaida remains active in northern Iraq, including the city of Mosul.