The number of civilian deaths in 2010 from violence in Iraq is set to be the lowest since the 2003 US-led invasion, according to a preliminary report released on Thursday by a monitoring group.Iraq Body Count (IBC). According to AFP, it put the number of civilian deaths in Iraq as of December 25 at 3,976, down 704 from 4,680 in 2009.
But it also noted that attacks remain common across much of the country. "This is a good indication, though it does not reach the required level," Ali Moussawi, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said when asked about the IBC report. "We hope to eliminate all the danger that threatens civilians, especially terrorist attacks," he added.
"There was a big improvement in security" in 2010, Iraqi defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammed al-Askari said. "Unfortunately, there were still victims" of attacks.
