The US will end its combat mission in Iraq as scheduled on August 31 despite a recent flare-up in violence, President Barack Obama said in a speech prepared for delivery Monday.
“Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility,” Mr Obama will tell a national convention of Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Georgia, according to excerpts of his speech released by the White House. “And I made it clear that by August 31, 2010 America’s combat mission in Iraq would end,” the President continued. “And that is exactly what we are doing, as promised, on schedule.” —AFP