MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2010) -- Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, made the following statement today about the recent attacks in Iraq on Shi'a pilgrims.

"The recent attacks by Al Qaeda in Iraq on Shi'a pilgrims have once again demonstrated Al Qaeda's extremist hallmarks: the repeated employment of indiscriminate violence against fellow Muslims and the moral bankruptcy of an ideology that condones barbaric actions. These attacks have shown yet again that, rather than pointing the way to a brighter future for the Islamic world, Al Qaeda promotes the violent imposition of practices rejected by all but the most troubled members of global society."