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| US to withdraw fully from Iraq by 2011: Obama |
| Lalit K Jha / PTI / Washington Feb 28, 2009, 15:47 IST |
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President Barack Obama has announced that US will withdraw all forces from Iraq by 2011 with its combat mission coming to an end by August 31, 2010.
The much expected announcement was made by Obama at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina yesterday and with this he has fulfilled one of his major promises he made to the people of the United States during his election campaign.
Obama told the cheering crowd, "Let me say this as plainly as I can, by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.
Obama said that he has chosen a timeline to remove all the combat brigades over the next 18 months, however, the US mission in Iraq would still continue.
"After we remove our combat brigades, our mission will change from combat to supporting the Iraqi government and its Security Forces as they take the absolute lead in securing their country," Obama said.
"We will retain a transitional force to carry out three distinct functions: training, equipping and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long as they remain non-sectarian, conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts within Iraq," he said.
He added, initially, this force will likely be made up of 35-50,000 US troops.
"Through this period of transition, we will carry out further redeployments. And under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government, I intend to remove all US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. We will complete this transition to Iraqi responsibility and bring our troops home with the honor that they have earned," the US President said.
Observing that the drawdown of US military should send a clear signal that Iraq's future is now its own responsibility, Obama argued the long-term success of the nation will depend upon decisions made by its leaders and the fortitude of the people.
"Iraq is a sovereign country with legitimate institutions, America cannot and should not take their place. However, a strong political, diplomatic and civilian effort on our part can advance progress and help lay a foundation for lasting peace and security," he said.
The US President said, violence has substantially reduced, capacity of Iraq's Security Forces has improved, its leaders have taken steps toward political accommodation.
"The relative peace and strong participation in January's provincial elections sent a powerful message to the world about how far Iraqis have come in pursuing their aspirations through a peaceful political process," he said.
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