MSNBC: Top general in Iraq: 'Things could get worse'

General David Petraeus said today that the situation in Iraq could get a whole lot worse before before it gets easier.

According to msnbc.com, Petraeus said situation there is "exceedingly complex and very tough." He also said the war is "the most complex and challenging thing I have ever seen."

He acknowledged there have been some improvements and that some of them are visible, but that overall the situation is still terrible. Most of the improvements have been in Baghdad and the Anbar Province.

But, he said, the increase in number of suicide bombers and insurgent attacks, paired with the increased number of U.S. troops has caused the U.S. forces to suffer greater losses, but that if the U.S. leaves, the attacks will increase further, and more civilian lives will be lost.

Petraeus also talked about how strong Iranian influence is in Iraq, and how much damage that could do if the U.S. pulled out too quickly. But he stressed that even though there is a long, dangerous road ahead, the U.S. must continue their mission, or Iraq will basically self destruct.