Iraqi civilian deaths rose in August

US military officials have insisted that the security plan launched early this year have brought a decrease in attacks on civilians and sectarian killings, especially in the Baghdad area, which was the focus of the new strategy.

The top American commander, General David Petraeus, is expected to cite security improvements when he and Ambassador Ryan Crocker submit reports to Congress during the week of Sept. 10.

However, figures compiled by the AP from police reports nationwide show that at least 1,809 civilians were killed across the country last month compared with 1,760 in July. That brings to 27,564 the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the AP began collecting data on April 28, 2005.

Civilian deaths reached a high point during the wave of sectarian bombings, kidnappings, and killings at the end of last year - 2,172 in December and 1,967 in the previous month.

Crocker predicted yesterday that there will be no "fundamental or quick change" in the US policy on Iraq and appealed for patience as Congress prepares to receive the reports.

Speaking in Arabic on Iraqi state television, he said the US administration believes Iraqis have made tangible progress - which Congress has demanded as a condition for continued US support.

"Since 2003, there has been a stable policy by the American administration and I don't think there will be a fundamental or quick change in the American policy or stand on Iraq," he said.

Crocker also said Iraqis "and the friends of Iraq" should show patience as the country grapples with its political and security crisis. "After 35 years of injustice under Saddam Hussein, there are some problems since liberation and the problems of 40 years cannot be solved in a year or two," he said.

President Bush ordered nearly 30,000 additional troops to Iraq, and monthly death tolls began to decline after the new security plan was launched Feb. 14. But civilian death tolls have been creeping back toward levels approaching those during the worst of the sectarian slaughter.

May was the deadliest month for Iraqi civilians this year, with 1,901 people killed in political or sectarian violence.