So, how's that Iraq Civil War coming?

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Iraqi PM Maliki: Violence in Iraq Is Decreasing

WASHINGTON -- Iraq's prime minister said Sunday that his government is making progress in efforts to combat sectarian clashes between Shiites and Sunnis, and terrorism by Sunni Arab insurgents.

Nouri al-Maliki made the comments amid continuing reports of bloodshed in Iraq.

"The violence is not increasing. We're not in a civil war. Iraq will never be in a civil war," al-Maliki said through an interpreter on CNN's Late Edition. "The violence is in decrease and our security ability is increasing."

On Sunday, a series of bomb explosions left at least 15 people dead and dozens wounded. That followed 26 killings in dozens of attacks Saturday. Iraqi officials have said about 3,500 Iraqis died violently last month nationwide - the highest monthly tally of the war. U.S. officials, however, say they have seen improved security this month in Baghdad because of a joint American and Iraqi operation to deal with violence in the capital.

Al-Maliki refused to set a specific timeline for how much longer U.S. troops would be needed in Iraq.

Last week, Republican Rep. Chris Shays, a Connecticut lawmaker who previously opposed withdrawal timetables, said the United States should consider setting a timeline for troop withdrawals.

"I don't want to commit to a certain time or a certain period," al-Maliki said, but he hoped the government's efforts could "decrease this time to a year or less, or a few months."

The prime minister said "we are at a level of strength that we could, if the multinational forces want to lessen its presence, it could do that."

Democratic Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware said U.S. generals have told him that "things are really in difficult shape" in Iraq.

"They pointed out that since the unity government (was formed), the insurgency has not abated in any way," he told "Fox News Sunday.""There is no strategy to deal with getting the 60 percent unemployment rate among young people and young men who get paid to carry weapons and join the militia."