As US forces continue their pounding of the city of Fallujah, officials in the interim government sounded a warning to local rebels.

Iraq's interim prime minister said on Sunday that efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in Fallujah have entered their final phase.

Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said: "The Iraqi government is still offering the olive branch in Fallujah, Ramadi, Mosul, and all parts of Iraq as a matter of fact. But also, patience is wearing thin. "

During a news conference in Baghdad, Allawi vowed that the elections would take place on schedule. The interim prime minister said he had met tribal leaders from the area Saturday and told them "the window for such peaceful settlement is closing." He urged them to hand over Jordanian militant al-Zarqawi to avoid an attack.

U.S. commanders are waiting for Allawi to give the final order to launch the assault, to restore control of Sunni Muslim towns north and west of the capital ahead of January elections.

Source: cctv.com