(State Department) -- Iraqi and coalition forces' progress in securing Baghdad also figured prominently in an August 25 meeting in Washington between Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Iraqi Deputy President Adil Al-Mahdi.

"The last periods of July and August have been successful," Rumsfeld said. "We're seeing a reduction in the levels of violence and in the numbers of attacks in the areas, particularly that the forces have been able to clear."

Baghdad's security is a key issue, Al-Mahdi told journalists, as are reconstruction efforts in the 70 percent of the country that is effectively secured, and the government's growing national reconciliation dialogue, which is bringing together representatives from Iraq's many communities to encourage them to join in building a unified, peaceful, and prosperous Iraq.

"The Iraqi people think that there is no other issue but victory in Iraq, Al-Mahdi said. "The [coalition forces] are supporting the Iraqi people and will continue to support and have the sympathy of Iraqis."

During his visit to the United States, Al-Mahdi also met with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley.