Petraeus however said US and Iraqi forces would press ahead with the plan while "recognising that some sensational attacks inevitably will continue to take place".
Political action
He also denounced the recent wave of other attacks, including the "thugs with no soul" who have killed more than 150 Shia pilgrims in the past three days.
But Petraeus said it was "critical" for Iraqi leaders to halt any drift toward sectarian conflict.
He also said that US and Iraqi security forces can not solve the problem of violence in
"There is no military solution to a problem like that in
He said political progress would require talking to and reconciling with "some of those who have felt the new
No more troops needed
Petraeus also said that he currently saw no immediate need to request more
"Right now we do not see other requests [for troops] looming out there," he said.
"That's not to say that some emerging mission or emerging task will not require that, and if it does then we will ask for that."
Petraeus took command of US troops in
Bush has promised to send 21,500 more troops, mostly to