Top US commander says Iraq crisis has passed

The top US military commander in Iraq said today it appears the crisis has passed after days of bloodshed there between religious sects, but he conceded that a major new terrorist attack would threaten stability anew.

While General George Casey said anything can happen, he played down suggestions the country is headed for civil war. He spoke as violence spawned by the bombing of a sacred mosque continued with yet another deadly day. Yesterday’s attacks claimed 58 lives.