WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama said on Friday the United States will fulfill its pledge to pull troops out of Iraq by the end of the year.
"As promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over," Obama told reporters.
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US defense chief warns of Iran supplying weapons in IraqHe spoke after a video conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and said the two were in full agreement about how to move forward.
Obama said the two countries now move into "a new phase" and that it will be "a normal relationship between sovereign nations. An equal partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect."
The withdrawal of American troops marks a major milestone in the war
that started in 2003 and resulted in the removal of Saddam Hussein from
power in Iraq.
"Over the next two months, our troops in Iraq, tens of thousands of
them, will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home,"
Obama said.
"The last American soldier will cross the border out of Iraq with their
heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American
people stand united in our support for our troops," he said. "That is
how America's military efforts in Iraq will end."