Earlier this week, the top US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker presented their assessments of the situation in Iraq. The analysis illustrated the little progress made by the Baghdad government, sparking the discontent of many Congress members.

After the debates were over, thousands of people took center stage in Washington on Saturday to express their support for the war or criticize once again the Bush administration for continuing the Iraq campaign.

About 10,000 anti-war protesters marched from the White House to Capitol Hill, through Pennsylvania Avenue. Police said 190 people were arrested, mostly for trying to muscle their way into areas cordoned off by policemen.

“Out of Iraq” and “End the War Now” were the slogans written on hundreds of placards carried by demonstrators.

Other people wanted to show their support for the Iraq war and gathered at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street, waving national flags and urging the Bush administration to continue fighting against terrorism “or lose to Jihad.”

General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker said the troop surge ordered in January by President Bush has served its purpose and some of the servicemen can return home.

In a televised speech held Thursday, Bush announced he will withdraw 30,000 troops from the strife-torn country by next summer. Thus, 130,000 soldiers will remain in Iraq, the same number that was present before the spring surge.

Following Bush’s address, the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that the partial withdrawal could be extended and about 30,000 more troops may be called home by January 2009.

His statement came after Bush said US troops will remain in the Middle Eastern country after his term ends in January 2009.
Also, a report filed by the White House revealed that the Iraqi government failed to meet important benchmarks and quell sectarian violence ravaging the nation, sparking the discontent of Democrats in Congress.

This discontent quickly slipped out of the offices and into the streets, where protesters criticized the Congress for not adopting a tougher stance against Bush’s refusal to accept a timetable for withdrawal.

Saturday’s protests seem to be the overture of massive anti-war demonstrations that will take place next week.

Iraq and Vietnam war veterans along with parents of the soldiers killed in Iraq joined other protesters Saturday on the streets of Washington, demanding the government to end the campaign in Iraq.

In total contrast with the anti-war demonstrators, family members of the soldiers serving in Iraq waved national flags and demonstrated in support of Bush’s strategy at Washington's National Mall.

The week started with criticism targeting General Petraeus, who was accused of letting White House officials influence his testimony. Republicans lashed out at Petraeus’ critics, saying they are questioning the judgment of a military leader and his verticality.