Barack Obama: All US troops to leave Iraq in 2011

He ordered a complete withdrawal from the country, nearly nine years after the invasion under President George W Bush. About 39,000 US troops remain in Iraq, down from a peak of 165,000 in 2008. The US and Iraq were in "full agreement" on how to move forward, Mr Obama said, adding: "The US leaves Iraq with our heads held high." "That is how America's military efforts in Iraq will end." He spoke at the White House press room, after a video conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr Obama declared the end of the combat mission in 2010. The deadline for troops' removal at end of 2011 was set during President George W Bush's term in office. However, the issue of a full withdrawal had been the subject of an ongoing debate. Iraqi leaders had wanted 5,000 US troops to remain as trainers, reports have suggested. But the trainers would not have immunity for prosecution under Iraqi law, and the US military establishment at the Pentagon were said to have refused to accept that condition.