Obama to Address Iraq Security Handover
President Obama will address the situation in Iraq at 2 p.m. ET today, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. The president will discuss the significance of the handover of urban security to the Iraqis, Gibbs said.
"We are today handing responsibility to the Iraqis for an increased level of their security situation," Gibbs said during his daily press briefing. "The president will talk about why it's an important step but why we also have to remain vigilant in monitoring the situation."
The United States will also be monitoring the political reconciliation process in Iraq, he said.
When asked whether Mr. Obama is ready to declare victory in Iraq, Gibbs said, "We'll keep the banner printers from doing anything crazy."
Gibbs' quip seemed to be in reference to the "Mission Accomplished" banner that appeared above former President George W. Bush in a May 1, 2003 speech.
