Obama's Reaction: Iraqi Elections

 Sunday, Parlimentary Elections were held in Iraq.  President Obama praised the Iraqi people for reaching what he called "an important milestone."  Security was tight and turnout was high, although a wave of attacks on polling stations killed at least 36 people.

Today, the top U.S. general in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters in Baghdad that the election was a milestone on the way to the full pullout of U.S. combat troops that is scheduled by September 1, 2010.  That's the Obama administration's self-imposed deadline.  Their timetable calls for all troops to be out by the end of 2011.

This was Iraq's second national election since the war begain in 2003.   We won't know the results for the next few days, probably on Thursday.  Some 6,200 candidates competed for 325 parlimentary seats.

Here's the President's remarks from Sunday at The White House: