Obama hails end to US combat operations in Iraq

President Obama has hailed the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying the US has paid a "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its peoples' hands."

In a speech delivered in a rare Oval Office address, he said he was "awed" by the sacrifice of the US military. But he said America's "most urgent task" was now to "restore our economy," adding that the US would continue to support Iraq's government and people.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. The US has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people," he said.

The US president also talked about America's even longer conflict: the war in Afghanistan. Ac cording to BBC News he may want to concentrate on the issues that really matter to his electorate - those that will influence voters in critical midterm elections in two months time. But Barack Obama knows he's going to be a wartime president for some time to come.

Mr Obama said the drawdown in Iraq allows the US military to divert resources to the fight in Afghanistan, where he said the US remains committed to defeating al-Qaeda and the Taliban. But he reiterated the mission in that country will last "a limited time" before Afghan security forces will have to take over.

"As was the case in Iraq," he said, "we cannot do for Afghans what they must ultimately do for themselves."