URGNET / Obama says to pull out Iraq forces by Aug. 31, 2010

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Friday evening his plan to end combat operations and withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq on August 31, 2010. Obama made the announcement in a speech to military troops and officers at Camp LeJeune (leh-JUHN) N.C. He said his administration will “proceed cautiously” on the withdrawal and that U.S. commanders will bring it about in close consultation with the Iraqi government. During his campaign for the presidency, Obama had advocated pulling troops out within 16 months of taking office. The timeline he announced Friday, involving roughly 100,000 troops, was two months longer. It still hastens the U.S. exit, nevertheless. Obama also said that between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will initially remain there to help train Iraqi forces and undertake counter-terrorism missions. AmR (P) 1