Today is the second anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Pentagon workers Friday that Iraq has made remarkable changes since U.S. led forces invaded the country to topple Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, a month and a half after elections for a transitional national assembly in Iraq, Shi'ite and Kurdish leaders say a new Iraqi government could be formed within a week.
A member of the mainly Shi'ite United Iraqi Alliance -- which dominates the new assembly -- said Friday the lawmakers will meet again next week.
They are expected to vote on a new president, prime minister, and cabinet.
Shi'ite and Kurdish officials have been holding non-stop talks to settle outstanding issues, including Kurdish autonomy in northern Iraq.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.