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JANUARY 1, 2010, 8:33 A.M. ET

In Baghdad, Petraeus Stresses Elections' Importance

Associated Press

BAGHDAD -- Upcoming elections in March that will determine who will lead Iraq as American forces go home are of "enormous importance" to the country's future, the leading U.S. general who oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan said on Friday.

Gen. David Petraeus, who used to be the top American commander in Iraq, also warned during a visit to Baghdad that al Qaeda in Iraq as well as Iranian-backed militias will continue to be a threat as insurgents target government facilities in order to undermine Iraqis' confidence.

"Iraq will continue to be tested throughout the course of this year," Gen. Petraeus said.

Iraq is preparing to hold nationwide elections on March 7, but military commanders have warned that attacks could spike ahead of the vote.

Under a plan by President Barack Obama, U.S. forces currently at about 110,000 will drop to about 50,000 by the end of August, and those remaining will be focused on non-combat missions such as training. They in turn, will leave by 2011.

The general's comments came as U.S. forces in Iraq held a ceremony marking a change from what had formerly been called Multi-National Force-Iraq to U.S. Force-Iraq. Structurally the U.S. forces in Iraq will remain largely the same for the time being, but the name change symbolizes the changing nature of the U.S. mission here and acknowledges that a coalition that used to have troops from 32 countries now has just one. Gen. Petraeus called the ceremony a "milestone in the continued drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq."

Speaking of freed British hostage Peter Moore, Gen. Petraeus said that Moore spent at least part of his captivity in Iran, but that it was difficult to tell whether the Revolutionary Guard or the Quds force -- an arm of the Guard involved in foreign operations -- had a role in his capture.

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The more I read about Gen.Petraeus, the more I like him.. I wonder if he will run for President and if so what his policy positions might be!  Wow, I surprised myself with that thought.. but really, I am curious to know more on where he stands on various issues!!