Obama: Iraq combat ops to end on schedule

ATLANTA, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Plans to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq by the end of August will proceed "as promised, on schedule," President Barack Obama said Monday.

Obama restated his pledge to bring the war to a "responsible end" in remarks at the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta.

"Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility. And I made it clear that by Aug. 31, 2010, America's combat mission in Iraq would end," Obama said. "And that is exactly what we are doing -- as promised, on schedule."

Obama noted that hundreds of bases have been closed or turned over to Iraqi officials already and "millions of pieces of equipment" have been moved.

"By the end of this month, we'll have brought more than 90,000 of our troops home from Iraq since I took office -- more than 90,000," he said.

Beginning in September, the United States will change its military mission from combat "to supporting and training Iraqi security forces," Obama said. "In fact, in many parts of the country Iraqis have already taken the lead for security."

Under an agreement with the Iraqi government, the United States will maintain a transitional force until all U.S. troops are moved from Iraq by the end of next year, he said.

"During this period, our forces will have a focused mission -- supporting and training Iraqi forces, partnering with Iraqis in counter-terrorism missions and protecting our civilian and military efforts. These are dangerous tasks. And there are still those with bombs and bullets who will try to stop Iraq's progress," the president said.

"The hard truth is we have not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq."

After the speech, Obama headed for a $500,000 Democratic fundraiser.