Obama to declare Iraqi combat mission over

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama is to declare the end of combat operations in Iraq in a nationally televised address from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, saying " tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended," according to excerpts of the speech released by the White House.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country," Obama said, noting the United States has removed nearly 100,000 troops from Iraq, and closed or transferred hundreds of bases to the Iraqis.

The United States is ending its combat mission in Iraq on Aug. 31. U.S. mission there will be transferred to a civilian one on Sept. 1. About 50,000 U.S. troops left there will assume an advise and assist role to the Iraqi security forces.
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