Obama: 'I'll keep Iraq pullout promise'

Barack Obama has vowed to make good on his promise to end US combat operations in Iraq by the end of August.

Speaking to the Disabled American Veterans group in Atlanta, the US President sought to underscore progress in winding down the US role in the unpopular Iraq war.

With congressional elections looming in November, it was a reminder to liberal Democrats whose opposition to the Iraq war helped sweep him into office that he was determined to fulfill his promise to "bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end."

Mr Obama said: "Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility. And I made it clear that by August 31, 2010, America's combat mission in Iraq would end. And that is exactly what we are doing - as promised and on schedule."

Obama's speech came amid political tensions and uncertainty in Iraq over the failure by major parties to agree on forming a new government five months after inconclusive parliamentary elections.

His words come despite a dangerous political deadlock in Baghdad and a surge in militant violence last month.