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FALLUJAH, Iraq - A former Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)-era general appointed by the Americans to lead an Iraqi security force in the rebellious Sunni stronghold of Fallujah urged tribal elders and sheiks Sunday to support U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq (news - web sites). Retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif rose to prominence after nearly monthlong battles last month between the Marines monthlong battles in April between the Marines and insurgents hunkered down in Fallujah's neighborhoods. "We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice," Latif told...

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. air strikes on Falluja and sharp skirmishes with guerrillas inside the besieged city Monday threw doubt on a deal U.S. officials had hoped might end one of their biggest problems in Iraq (news - web sites). At least 10 U.S. Marines were wounded, four seriously. In a rare reminder of the original trigger for last year's invasion, a Baghdad warehouse blew up during what seems to have been a raid by the force hunting Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s still elusive chemical and biological weapons. Four U.S. military vehicles were destroyed but the...

<p>U.S.troopssuffered dozens of casualties at the hands of rebellious Shi'ite militiamen in Baghdad, as Americans were still reeling from the barbarous and gruesome ambush of four civilian security contractors protecting food convoys in Fallujah.</p> <p>Those victims' charred bodies were mutilated and dragged through the streets in a despicable manner eerily reminiscent of the Black Hawk debacle in Mogadishu, Somalia. After TV screens worldwide filled with photos and videos of that 1993 incident, Bill Clinton promptly withdrew our troops.</p>