Sectarian violence continues to escalate in Baghdad as police found 72 abandoned bodies there within the last 24 hour period. Most of the bodies were found with bullet holes in them. Some of the victims were found in their underwear.
The latest round of violence comes after 58 people were killed over the weekend and more than 200 injured.
Authorities have implemented a new curfew in an attempt to curb the violence. No driving will be permitted in Baghdad from 8:00 PM Wednesday evening until 4:00 PM Thursday.
The leaders of many of Iraq's sects have been holding emergency meetings in an attempt to end the violence. U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, has been shuttling between the main factions. Later on Tuesday, he joined the session hosted by Shiite leader Adbul-Aziz al-Hakim.
The violence has delayed the opening of Iraq's parliament. Elections were held December 15 and the results of the election were certified more than a month ago. Experts worry that the country may be on the brink of civil war.
The violence increased significantly after February 22 when a shrine holy to Shi'ite Muslims was damaged in the city of Samarra.
President Bush told Americans that the violence in Iraq is likely to continue but urged further patience.
'I wish I could tell you that the violence is waning and that the road ahead will be smooth,' Bush said in a speech Monday. 'It will not. There will be more tough fighting and more days of struggle, and we will see more images of chaos and carnage in the days and months to come.'
The United States is hoping that civil war can be averted. The present high level of violence has prevented the U.S. from reducing the number of troops in Iraq. Thus far, at least 2,308 American troops have been killed in the war in Iraq.
