Epress.am News from Armenia
US President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met at the White House on Monday to mark the end of the war in Iraq and reaffirm their commitment to work together to help the country maintain security and establish economic stability in the years ahead, The Washington Times reports.
“After nearly nine years, our war in Iraq ends this month,” Obama told reporters at a briefing after the summit. “We’re here to mark the end of this war and to turn the page and begin a new chapter between the history of these two countries.”
The two leaders appeared at a joint news conference after a meeting devoted to forging a new relationship following the tumultuous nine-year American-led military mission that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
The full withdrawal of US military troops from Iraq fulfills a campaign promise to bring the war to a responsible end, Obama said.
At its 2007 peak, 170,000 troops were in Iraq. By Dec. 31, the remaining 6,000 are expected to depart.
Al-Maliki, in turn, said that the US would continue cooperating in Iraq on matters of security, combating terrorism and training and equipping the Iraqi army.
The US also promised to supply Iraq with additional F-16 fighter jets and help rebuild its air force so it can protect its borders.
When it comes to the Iraq economy, Obama said, oil production is increasing and business is growing even faster than China and India.
Right now, there is “a new Iraq that is determining its own destiny,” Obama said.