The U.S. combat role in Iraq is over, President Barack Obama told the nation Tuesday night, and it's time to focus on repairing the U.S. economy. Speaking during an 18-minute, prime time national television address from the Oval Office, the president officially announced the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and said "the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country." That, Obama said, fulfilled his campaign pledge made two years ago, according to a report of the United Press International (UPI). "Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest -- it is in our own," he said. Obama called it a "remarkable chapter' in U.S. history but added "it is time to turn the page" and said it was his "central responsibility" to get the economy rolling again. "Today, our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work," Obama said. Obama said the pullout of combat troops from Iraq -- where 50,000 troops remain for another 16 months as trainers and in support of Iraqi forces -- doesn't mean America is turning its back on the world. Obama gave credit to Iraqis for taking over their own security and working to forge a democratic government in the face of ongoing terrorist activities by insurgents. The president also lauded America's troops. "At every turn, America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve," he said.
