President Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq. In his address he spoke about the significance of the transition, challenges that would remain for Iraqi and U.S. security, the nature of the new U.S. commitments to Iraq, and praised the military personnel who had both served and died in the war. He also talked about the final date for complete withdrawal in 2010, the toll taken on Iraqi civilians, as well as the role of the continued military and diplomatic missions in the country.