Obama intends to remove US troops from Iraq by 2011

CAMP LEJEUNE: President Barack Obama said on Friday that U.S. combat operations in Iraq would end on Aug. 31, 2010, but some 35,000-50,000 troops would remain to support the Iraqi government and security forces.

In a speech at the Camp Lejeune Marine base in North Carolina, Obama said "Iraq is not yet secure" and difficult days lay ahead, but he said his administration intended to remove all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of 2011.

The 18-month timetable marks a historic juncture in a war that has been enormously costly to the United States and defined the presidency of George W. Bush. It has been a huge drain on the Treasury, cost the lives of some 4,250 U.S. soldiers and damaged America's standing in the world.

"I have chosen a timeline that will remove our combat brigades over the next 18 months. Let me say this as plainly as I can, by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama said in a speech at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina.

Obama said 35,000 to 50,000 troops would remain to train and equip the Iraqi forces, protect civilian reconstruction projects and conduct limited counterterrorism operations.

"Under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government, I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.