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| Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan | Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| President Barack Obama has announced the withdrawal of most US troops in Iraq by the end of August 2010. | President Barack Obama has announced the withdrawal of most US troops in Iraq by the end of August 2010. |
| In a speech at a Marine Corps base, he said the US "combat mission" in Iraq would officially end by that time. | In a speech at a Marine Corps base, he said the US "combat mission" in Iraq would officially end by that time. |
| But 35,000 to 50,000 of the 142,000 troops now in Iraq will stay on into 2011 to advise Iraqi forces, target terror and protect US interests. | But 35,000 to 50,000 of the 142,000 troops now in Iraq will stay on into 2011 to advise Iraqi forces, target terror and protect US interests. |
| Mr Obama praised the progress made but warned: "Iraq is not yet secure, and there will be difficult days ahead." | Mr Obama praised the progress made but warned: "Iraq is not yet secure, and there will be difficult days ahead." |
| Some Democrats are concerned that the timetable falls short of his election pledges on troop withdrawal. | Some Democrats are concerned that the timetable falls short of his election pledges on troop withdrawal. |
| Mr Obama had said previously that he would completely pull out troops within 16 months of taking the top job. | Mr Obama had said previously that he would completely pull out troops within 16 months of taking the top job. |
| Earlier this month, he ordered the deployment of up to 17,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, saying they had been due to go to Iraq but were being redirected to "meet urgent security needs". | Earlier this month, he ordered the deployment of up to 17,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, saying they had been due to go to Iraq but were being redirected to "meet urgent security needs". |
| 'Hard-earned progress' | 'Hard-earned progress' |
| In his address at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, Mr Obama said his national security team had drawn up a "new strategy" for US involvement in Iraq. | In his address at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, Mr Obama said his national security team had drawn up a "new strategy" for US involvement in Iraq. |
| The strategy recognised that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political and that the most important decisions about its future must now be made by Iraqis, he said. | The strategy recognised that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political and that the most important decisions about its future must now be made by Iraqis, he said. |
| US TROOPS IN IRAQ Aug '10 troops down to 35-50,000Dec '11 all US troops out of Iraq Source: Brookings Institution Have your say: What now for Iraq? "We have also taken into account the simple reality that America can no longer afford to see Iraq in isolation from other priorities: we face the challenge of refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan; of relieving the burden on our military; and of rebuilding our struggling economy - and these are challenges that we will meet." | US TROOPS IN IRAQ Aug '10 troops down to 35-50,000Dec '11 all US troops out of Iraq Source: Brookings Institution Have your say: What now for Iraq? "We have also taken into account the simple reality that America can no longer afford to see Iraq in isolation from other priorities: we face the challenge of refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan; of relieving the burden on our military; and of rebuilding our struggling economy - and these are challenges that we will meet." |
| Mr Obama said all US troops would have left Iraq by the end of 2011, in line with an agreement signed between the two countries last year. | Mr Obama said all US troops would have left Iraq by the end of 2011, in line with an agreement signed between the two countries last year. |
| The president recognised that the conflict had been "a long war" and paid tribute to the US forces who have served in Iraq over the past six years and their families. | The president recognised that the conflict had been "a long war" and paid tribute to the US forces who have served in Iraq over the past six years and their families. |
| "Thanks to the sacrifices of those who have served, we have forged hard-earned progress, we are leaving Iraq to its people, and we have begun the work of ending the war." | "Thanks to the sacrifices of those who have served, we have forged hard-earned progress, we are leaving Iraq to its people, and we have begun the work of ending the war." |
| He also announced that his administration would increase the numbers of soldiers and Marines, in order to lessen the burden on those now serving, and was committed to expanding veterans' health care. | He also announced that his administration would increase the numbers of soldiers and Marines, in order to lessen the burden on those now serving, and was committed to expanding veterans' health care. |
| Addressing the Iraqi people directly, Mr Obama said theirs was "a great nation" that had persevered with resilience through tyranny, terror and sectarian violence. | |
| We have learned the importance of working closely with friends and allies, which is why we are launching a new era of engagement in the world President Barack Obama | We have learned the importance of working closely with friends and allies, which is why we are launching a new era of engagement in the world President Barack Obama |
| He went on: "So to the Iraqi people: let me be clear about America's intentions. The United States pursues no claim on your territory or your resources. | |
| "We respect your sovereignty and the tremendous sacrifices you have made for your country. We seek a full transition to Iraqi responsibility for the security of your country." | |
| The two nations would build a future relationship based on mutual interest and respect, he said. | |
| Mr Obama said there were important lessons to be learned from the Iraq conflict - among them that the US must go to war with clearly defined goals, that it must weigh the costs of action and "communicate those costs candidly to the American people". | Mr Obama said there were important lessons to be learned from the Iraq conflict - among them that the US must go to war with clearly defined goals, that it must weigh the costs of action and "communicate those costs candidly to the American people". |
| As a result of these lessons, he had ordered a review of US policy in Afghanistan, he said, and put the costs of Iraq and Afghanistan into the federal budget. | As a result of these lessons, he had ordered a review of US policy in Afghanistan, he said, and put the costs of Iraq and Afghanistan into the federal budget. |
| "And we have learned the importance of working closely with friends and allies, which is why we are launching a new era of engagement in the world," he said. | "And we have learned the importance of working closely with friends and allies, which is why we are launching a new era of engagement in the world," he said. |
| 'Still dependent' | 'Still dependent' |
| The plan is a middle way between the speedy reduction Mr Obama envisaged during his election campaign and the slower one some military leaders may prefer, BBC North America editor Justin Webb says. | The plan is a middle way between the speedy reduction Mr Obama envisaged during his election campaign and the slower one some military leaders may prefer, BBC North America editor Justin Webb says. |
| Obama setting out his plans for Iraq during his campaign in July 2008 | Obama setting out his plans for Iraq during his campaign in July 2008 |
| Mr Obama wants only two combat brigades to leave this year but after December elections in Iraq the pace should quicken, our correspondent says. | Mr Obama wants only two combat brigades to leave this year but after December elections in Iraq the pace should quicken, our correspondent says. |
| The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says that security in Iraq is now better and people say they are ready for US forces to leave. | The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says that security in Iraq is now better and people say they are ready for US forces to leave. |
| However, some people are deeply worried about what exactly will happen when US combat troops disappear, our correspondent says. | However, some people are deeply worried about what exactly will happen when US combat troops disappear, our correspondent says. |
| While Iraqi forces are much better trained and equipped than before, they are still dependent on US troops for support in many areas, our correspondent adds, and a great deal of American financial and political support may be needed for years to come. | While Iraqi forces are much better trained and equipped than before, they are still dependent on US troops for support in many areas, our correspondent adds, and a great deal of American financial and political support may be needed for years to come. |
| 'Too many' | 'Too many' |
| Democrats have expressed concern that the troop withdrawal is being watered down. | Democrats have expressed concern that the troop withdrawal is being watered down. |
| Speaking before Mr Obama briefed Congressional leaders about the plan on Thursday, Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said 50,000 troops seemed too many for a residual force and needed to be justified. | Speaking before Mr Obama briefed Congressional leaders about the plan on Thursday, Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said 50,000 troops seemed too many for a residual force and needed to be justified. |
| However, other sceptics have expressed concern that a fast withdrawal could reverse the dramatic but fragile gains in security in Iraq. | However, other sceptics have expressed concern that a fast withdrawal could reverse the dramatic but fragile gains in security in Iraq. |
| John McHugh, the top Republican on the House armed services committee, said after the briefing that Mr Obama had promised the pullout strategy would be revisited if violence in Iraq increased. | John McHugh, the top Republican on the House armed services committee, said after the briefing that Mr Obama had promised the pullout strategy would be revisited if violence in Iraq increased. |