Obama Announces End of Iraq War

President Barack Obama has announced that the United States is leaving Iraq and the war is official over. Speaking from the White House, the President said that, after almost a decade, troops will begin withdrawing from Iraq immediately.

All troops are expected to be out of the country by the end of 2011.

“After nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over,” President Barack Obama said. “As we mark this important milestone, we’re moving into a new phase in our relationship between the United States and Iraq. As of January 1, and in keeping with our strategic framework agreement with Iraq, it will be a normal relationship between two sovereign nations.”

A small number of troops will remain in Iraq to guard the United States Embassy-- the largest U.S. Embassy in the world.