04:20 PM CDT on Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The new U.S. ambassador to Iraq says Islamic extremists and other militants are using Iraq's people as "cannon fodder" as bombings continue to take their toll.

Zalmay Khalilzad says the militants are trying to start a civil war.

He says militants want either domination of the Islamic world or else global conflict.

Khalilzad met with Iraq's president today. After the meeting, he expressed horror at the level of violence in Iraq.

The meeting was held in the heavily fortified Green Zone in downtown Baghdad.

Khalilzad said he'll support Iraqi efforts to embrace democracy without marginalizing minorities.

APNP-06-21-05 0724CDT