Iraq's deputy prime minister said Tuesday that up to 70 percent of Fallujah's civilian population had fled the city to escape the violence. Barham Saleh, who is responsible for national security, told British Broadcasting Corp. radio that the overwhelming majority of Iraqis wanted order to be restored to the insurgent stronghold. American and Iraqi forces have laid siege to the city that had become the major sanctuary for extremists in Iraq. Overnight Tuesday, troops advanced into the city from two sides, and took over the train station, military officials said. Saleh said the interim government had been "very very restrained in trying to avoid all civilian casualties."
