Obama Called Bush And Al Maliki About Iraq Withdrawal

Here is what the newsmaker reports on those called made right before the Withdrawal announcement and from Air Force One.

"President Barack Obama called former President Bush on this morning to tell him about his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, the White House said Friday.

"Obama called the former president “as a courtesy” right before his speech at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

"Obama also called Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki from Air Force One to brief him on his plan to withdraw most troops from that country by the end of August 2010. The preident also “sought and received” an agreement from the prime minister that he would receive Christopher Hill as the next U.S. ambassador to Iraq."

Barack Obama this morning announced his plan to withdraw combat troops from Iraq and end this war by August 31st of 2010.

In a speech at the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., President Barack Obama outlined his plans for troop withdrawal from Iraq, as well as (and this drew the most applause) new perks for the military, including a pay raise.

But while President Obama unveiled plans to withdraw combat forces, he also added the U.S. will be leaving behind a “transition force” through the end of 2011.