White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters at a briefing onboard Air Force One March 3 that the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Karbala had the "hallmarks" of terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

"We saw the letter that he was sending to al Qaeda members, and it outlines his intentions to start civil war within Iraq. But this is another indication of how high the stakes are in Iraq. The terrorists recognize that Iraq is the central front in the war on terrorism. And they will not prevail. Democracy is taking root. And the Iraqi people have a better and brighter future on the way," McClellan said.

The press secretary also noted that al-Zarqawi is dangerous and a known associate of al-Qaeda.

WHITE HOUSE URGES HATIAN REBELS TO PUT DOWN ARMS

"There is no place for thugs, criminals, and the so-called rebels in Haiti's political system. And so our message has been very clear that we are working with our international partners and the Haitian people to move forward on strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in Haiti, and bringing about order and stability. The level of violence has been reduced. And we continue to call on all Haitians to end the violence," the press secretary said.

McClellan discussed efforts by the Bush administration to get other nations to contribute to the international peacekeeping force in Haiti. He also noted that the United Nations would eventually assume control of the multinational peacekeeping force.