US, Iraqi forces capture suspects north of Baghdad

US and Iraqi troops captured eight suspected insurgents in raids north of Baghdad as part of a campaign to prevent insurgents from regrouping outside the city during the ongoing security crackdown.

The top US commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, said the security operation would be extended beyond the city limits to target these areas. "'The priority clearly is Baghdad, (but) anyone who knows about security in Baghdad knows you must also secure the 'Baghdad belts' _ in other words, the areas that surround Baghdad,'' said Petraeus at his first news conference since taking command last month. (AP)