PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES TOTAL IRAQ TROOP WITHDRAWAL

On Friday October 21, 2011 President Barack Obama declared an end to the Iraq war, one of the longest and most divisive conflicts in United States history, announcing that all American troops would be withdrawn from the country by yearÕs end. The war has lasted nearly nine years and killed nearly 4,500 Americans. The announcement of a complete withdrawal came after the White House and the Iraqi government failed to reach an agreement that would have left some U.S. forces in Iraq to provide security and function as trainers. The White House said that all of the approximately 40,000 troops now serving in Iraq will come home by the end of 2011. Only a "normal embassy presence" will remain, a White House official said. In this clip President Obama says: ÒA few hours ago I spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. I reaffirmed that the United States keeps its commitments. He spoke of the determination of the Iraqi people to forge their own future. We are in full agreement about how to move forward.Ó