Obama Confirms Iraq Troop Withdrawal
President Obama has confirmed his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq:
US President Barack Obama has confirmed the end of all combat operations in Iraq by 31 August.
Some 50,000 of 65,000 US troops currently in Iraq are set to remain until the end of 2011 to advise Iraqi forces and protect US interests.
Mr Obama proclaimed that the end of operations would arrive "as promised and on schedule".
It comes amid a dispute between the US and Baghdad over the latest casualty numbers in Iraq.
The thrust of Mr Obama's speech was the fulfilment of his campaign promise to end the Iraq war, which was a defining characteristic of his 2008 candidacy.
Mr Obama made his announcement in a speech to the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Georgia.
The remaining 50,000 troops will stay in the country in order to train Iraqi security forces, conduct counterterrorism operations and provide civilians with ongoing security, said Mr Obama.
An agreement negotiated with the Iraqis in 2008 states that these troops must be gone from the country by the end of next year.
But the president warned the US had "not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq".
He added: "But make no mistake, our commitment in Iraq is changing - from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats."
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