By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 1:39 PM on 22nd October 2011 Republicans condemned President Obama's announcement that remaining U.S. troops will withdraw from Iraq by the end of the year. Senator John McCain said the President's decision is a 'harmful' setback for U.S. interests in the Middle East. Senator McCain said: 'I respectfully disagree with the President. This decision will be viewed as a strategic victory for our enemies in the Middle East, especially the Iranian regime, which has worked relentlessly to ensure a full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.' Scroll down for video Coming home: President Obama today said that all U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year
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Democrats commend Obama for a 'promise honoured'
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Brings the end of nine-year war that has seen 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed
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Obama heralds 'a move into a new phase' as 'the tide of war is receding'
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39,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq 'will definitely be home for the holidays'
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Negligible force of 150 to remain to protect embassy and assist arms sales
@placeholder largely praised the decision as a promise Obama has kept from his pledges made while campaigning for the presidency.