Washington - President Obama has hailed the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying the US has paid a "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its people's hands".

In a speech delivered in a rare Oval Office address, he said he was "awed" by the sacrifice of the US military.

But he said America's "most urgent task" was now to "restore our economy".

He said the US would continue to support Iraq's government and people.

The president also talked about America's even longer conflict, the war in Afghanistan.