The Administration's Reaction

The Administration's Reaction

President Barack Obama praised Iraq for holding peaceful elections.

President Barack Obama congratulated the Iraqi people in astatement calling the elections an “important step forward” to establishing a self-sufficient Iraq.
Speaking on NBC Sunday, President Obama commended Iraqis for holding peaceful elections.

"I think that you have a sense now that the Iraqis just had a very significant election with no significant violence that we are in a position to start putting more responsibility on the Iraqis and that's good news not only for the troops on the ground but for the families who are carrying an enormous burden," he said.

When pressed about a campaign promise to withdraw soldiers from Iraq in 16 months, President Obama predicted that a significant number of troops would return home in the coming year.


--Compiled by Kate Stanton for NewsHour Extra