Obama marks end of Iraq War

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama heralded the end of the divisive Iraq War yesterday, and warned Iraq's neighbors that the United States would remain a major player in the region, even as it brings its troops home.

"Our strong presence in the Middle East endures," Obama said. "And the United States will never waver in the defense of our allies, our partners and our interests."

Speaking after a morning of meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Obama said other nations must not interfere with Iraq's sovereignty. While he stopped short of mentioning any countries by name, U.S. officials are closely watching how neighboring Iran may seek to influence Baghdad after U.S. troops withdraw.

Early signs of how Iraq may orient itself could come from how it handles troubles in Syria, where the United Nations says more than 5,000 people have been killed in a government crackdown on protesters.

While Obama has called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, Iraq has been more circumspect, with al-Maliki warning of civil war if Assad falls and abstaining from Arab League votes suspending Syria's membership and imposing sanctions. Those positions align Iraq more closely with Iran, a key Syrian ally.

Obama said he and al-Maliki were both deeply concerned by the Syrian government's assault on its own people. And Obama said he was confident that the Iraqi leader's approach to dealing with Syria was based on his own nation's interests.

"Even if there are tactical disagreements I have no doubt those decisions are made based on what's best for Iraq, not considerations of what Iran would like to see," Obama said.

Al-Maliki's trip to Washington came as the last American troops were preparing to leave Iraq ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline. About 6,000 U.S. forces remain, down from a high of 170,000 at the war's peak in 2007.

About 1 million U.S. troops have cycled through Iraq since the war began nearly nine years ago. Obama said the military can officially withdraw from Iraq "with honor and with their heads held high."

Following their meetings at the White House, Obama and al-Maliki traveled to nearby Arlington National Cemetery, where some of the nearly 4,500 Americans killed in Iraq are buried.

The two leaders stood solemnly as their nations' national anthems were played. Then, together, they placed a large wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.