ABJ Sep 1 - A war that may go down as "America's single greatest foreign policy blunder" reached a milestone Tuesday night when U.S. President Barack Obama announced: "Operation Iraqi Freedom is over".

The declaration, spoken in a live address from the Oval Office, marked the end of American combat operations after more than seven years of military efforts in Iraq.

"We have met our responsibilities. Now, it is time to turn the page," said Obama.

The shift away from combat is leaving about 50,000 American troops in Iraq, scheduled to leave by August 2011, in an "advise and assist" capacity.

"Iraqis are a proud people. They understand that only Iraqis can resolve their differences and police their streets. Only Iraqis can build a democracy within their borders," added Obama. "It's well known that [former U.S. President George W. Bush] and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush's support for the troops or his love of country or his commitment to our security."

The focus for Obama now turns to improving the American economy and its sagging job market.