U.S. on schedule to pull out combat troops in Iraq
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The White House said on Wednesday that the United States is on schedule to pull out all its combat troops in Iraq by the end of this month, after President Barack Obama met with his national security team earlier in the day on the situation there.
"We're on target by the end of the month to end our combat mission," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding Obama is satisfied with the progress made on the ground.
The United States is scheduled to withdraw all its combat troops from Iraq by the end of this month, leaving about 50,000 U. S. troops to train and advise Iraqi security forces, conduct partnered and targeted counter-terrorism operations, and protect ongoing U.S. civilian and military efforts.
Obama and his security team had a meeting on the Iraq war in the morning. He was updated by officials such as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor James Jones. Ray Odierno, Commander of U. S. forces in Iraq, and Chris Hill, Ambassador to Iraq, also participated via videoconference.
After pulling out combat troops, the United States is scheduled to pull out all of its troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. However, as Iraq is witnessing a resurgence of violence in recent months, the plan's impact on Iraq's security and stability is unclear.
Gibbs said he's not aware of doubts expressed at the meeting about the 2011 deadline, and said it might be premature to discuss the final withdrawal before Iraq can form a new government.
The Iraqis have been unable to form a government since the March 7 parliamentary elections, and the United States has been working to help break the political stalemate. Gibbs said Vice President Joe Biden and Hill briefed Obama on the effort during the meeting.
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