General Petraeus takes Iraq command

BAGHDAD, Saturday (AFP) -Lieutenant General David Petraeus took over command of the US-led military coalition in Iraq today at a ceremony in one of executed dictator Saddam Hussein's palaces on the outskirts of Baghdad.

“Now is the time for all Iraqis to reject violence and crime and corruption and to rise up against those who employ such methods to further their goals,”the 54-year-old paratrooper told assembled dignitaries.

“The rucksack of responsibility is very heavy. In truth, it's too heavy for any one person to bear, and we will all have to share the burden and move forward together,” he said, adding “the prospects for success are good”.

“Failing that, Iraq will be doomed to continued violence and civil strife,”he warned, promising to provide the 140,000-string coalition with “the best leadership I can muster”.