Obama marks symbolic end to US combat in Iraq

President Barack Obama said yesterday his speech marking the end of US combat operations in Iraq would not be a victory lap, as Iraqi leaders vowed their forces could defend the country.

“Our combat phase is over,” Mr Obama told American troops on a sprawling Texas military base before his solemn Oval Office address to the nation to mark the end of combat in Iraq seven years after the US-led invasion.

But the US Commander-in-Chief warned “there is still a lot of work to do” and he insisted his speech at 8 p.m. yesterday would not be “a victory lap, it is not congratulatory”.

A major US troop pullout over past months has left less than 50,000 US soldiers in Iraq, but a near-simultaneous surge in car bombings and shootings has left hundreds dead, and many remain fearful for the future.

In a TV address to his people, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stressed the Iraqi military and police were in charge, adding he was confident the last US forces would leave the country as planned at the end of 2011.

“This is a day that will remain in the memory of all Iraqis. Today, Iraq has become a sovereign and independent country,” he said.

“As of today, our security forces will play the leading role in maintaining the security and defence of our country.”

But the country has been left with no functioning government since March elections, with various attempts to form a coalition between rival groups failing to form a viable majority.

The White House yesterday urged Iraq to move with “a sense of urgency” in forming a new government after months of delay.

In talks with Iraqi leaders yesterday “we urged Iraq’s leaders to move forward with a sense of urgency in forming a government,” said Ben Rhodes, deputy national security advisor for strategic communications.

“We believe that government should be inclusive,” Mr Rhodes told reporters.