2010-08-29 09:40

WASHINGTON - After seven years and thousands of US military deaths, US President Barack Obama on Saturday said the Iraq war is ending.

US soldiers pack equipments to be loaded up an aircraft as they prepare to leave Iraq in Balad Base 80 km north of Baghdad August 27, 2010. [Agencies]?

"The bottom line is this: the war is ending," Obama told the nation in his weekly address broadcast on radio and the web. On August 31, the United States is ending its combat mission in Iraq, with the end of next year as the deadline to withdraw all troops from that country.

"On Tuesday, after more than seven years, the United States of America will end its combat mission in Iraq and take an important step forward in responsibly ending the Iraq war," Obama said.

He said as a candidate for president, he had pledged he would end this war, and that's what he is doing as president.

"We have brought home more than 90,000 troops since I took office. We have closed or turned over to Iraq hundreds of bases. In many parts of the country, Iraqis have already taken the lead for security," said Obama.

After ending combat mission, about 50,000 US troops will conduct training and assistance missions in Iraq, partner with Iraqis in counterterrorism missions, and also protect US civilian and military efforts there.

Obama will deliver an Oval Office speech on August 31 to mark the end of Iraqi combat missions. White House spokesman Bill Burton said the president will talk about "the importance of the milepost that day is as we change missions in Iraq," as well as US policy toward Iraq.