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VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq — US Vice President Joe Biden thanked US and Iraqi forces on Thursday for their shared sacrifices, saying they had made it possible to end the war.
But even as Biden spoke of the conflict coming to a close, 18 people were killed in attacks in confessionally mixed Diyala province, north of Baghdad.
"We're gathered here to thank the armed forces of Iraq and America, and to honour your sacrifice, to honour your success, as well as your commitment," Biden said at a ceremony at Al-Faw palace in the sprawling Victory Base Complex near the capital.
"Because of you ... and the work those of you in uniform have done, we are now able to end this war," Biden said at the ceremony with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, and US ambassador James Jeffrey.
"All of you sitting before me today have laid the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership between our nations, and also for an Iraq that, against all odds, can serve as a source of stability not only for its people, but here in the region, and for years to come.
"I think it's fair to say, almost no one thought that was possible a few years ago," Biden said.
US troops are due to complete a withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year, bringing to a close an almost nine-year war that has left thousands of American soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead, and cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
About 13,800 US soldiers are still in the country, and seven US bases remain to be handed over, according to US military spokesman Major General Jeffrey Buchanan.
Thursday's ceremony was also attended by General Lloyd Austin, the top US commander in Iraq, various diplomats and a number of US and Iraqi soldiers.
Violence has declined in Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common. A total of 258 people were killed in October, according to official figures.
But even as Biden spoke of the conflict coming to a close, 18 people were killed in attacks in confessionally mixed Diyala province, north of Baghdad.
"We're gathered here to thank the armed forces of Iraq and America, and to honour your sacrifice, to honour your success, as well as your commitment," Biden said at a ceremony at Al-Faw palace in the sprawling Victory Base Complex near the capital.
"Because of you ... and the work those of you in uniform have done, we are now able to end this war," Biden said at the ceremony with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, and US ambassador James Jeffrey.
"All of you sitting before me today have laid the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership between our nations, and also for an Iraq that, against all odds, can serve as a source of stability not only for its people, but here in the region, and for years to come.
"I think it's fair to say, almost no one thought that was possible a few years ago," Biden said.
US troops are due to complete a withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year, bringing to a close an almost nine-year war that has left thousands of American soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead, and cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
About 13,800 US soldiers are still in the country, and seven US bases remain to be handed over, according to US military spokesman Major General Jeffrey Buchanan.
Thursday's ceremony was also attended by General Lloyd Austin, the top US commander in Iraq, various diplomats and a number of US and Iraqi soldiers.
Violence has declined in Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common. A total of 258 people were killed in October, according to official figures.
