June 30, 2009 Obama: Difficult days ahead for Iraqis Play video

(NECN: Washington) - President Barack Obama says that Iraqi security forces taking control of cities from the United States is an important step toward Iraq's sovereignty and the end of the war.

He says Iraqis are rightly treating the day as a cause for celebration.

But Obama added - in his words - "Make no mistake. There will be difficult days ahead."

Obama says there's more work to be done, but U.S. has made important progress toward a stable, sovereign Iraq.

He says Iraq's future is in the hands of its people, and that Iraqi leaders have hard choices. He pledged that the U.S. would continue to be a strong partner.

*Material from The Associated Press used in this report*