General

Obama: “Our commitment in Iraq is changing”

U.S. to confirm plan for troop withdrawal from Iraq

U.S. President Barack Obama is set to confirm U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq by the end of August at a speech in Atlanta later today. Some 50,000 of 65,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Iraq to advise Iraqi forces and protect U.S. interests, the BBC reports. The announcement comes amid a disagreement between the U.S. and Baghdad over the latest casualty numbers in Iraq—the U.S. alleging 222 people died in attacks last month, and Baghdad citing 535 lost lives. An advance copy of the speech quotes Obama as saying, “Our commitment in Iraq is changing, from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats.” Obama announced his new Iraq strategy shortly after taking office, commiting to a transition to full Iraqi responsibility. His promise was that by August 31, 2010, the U.S.’ combat mission would be over. “And that is exactly what we are doing, as promised, on schedule,” his speech is quoted as saying.

BBC News

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