The military had stopped the large-scale fighting, he said, but added: "Unacceptable, dangerous levels of criminal activity continue, and put our troops at constant risk.

Apprehension remains about large-scale fighting among military units, but as another day passed the threat of civil war also seemed to diminish.

In fact, the breakthrough battle will probably be the only instance of large-scale fighting between American and Iraqi ground forces.

The security moves reflect widespread fears that large-scale fighting could break out here between rival military units supporting different political leaders.

I don't think we'll see anymore large-scale fighting.

The party was suppressed by Amal in southern Lebanon after three days of large-scale fighting last month.

Those operations that did continue on a reduced scale were limited to the Soudanian region, which was not involved directly in large-scale fighting.

The fundamentalists had emerged on top in large-scale fighting in the suburbs in May.

There has been no large-scale fighting for a year.

An estimated 18 rebels were killed in the first large-scale fighting since the last major operation in March last year.