Iraq: Transcript and Video of Obama and Al-Maliki Press Conference (22 July)

At today's press conference of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Barack Obama, held after their meeting to discuss transition in Iraq, no flying shoes disrupted the proceedings. There was, however, a notable difference in the rhetoric.

President Obama Meets with Prime Minister Maliki from White House on Vimeo.

Obama spoke of partnership: "The violence levels has remained low, the cooperation between U.S. forces and Iraqi forces has remained high, and we have every confidence that we will continue to work together cooperatively and make adjustments, where necessary, to assure that as we move into the national elections, that Iraq continues on the progress of stability, and that Iraqi security forces are continually ramping up their capabilities, so that ultimately we are going to be able to fulfill our commitment to pull out our troops entirely and interact with Iraq as a full sovereign country that it is." Al-Maliki, on the other hand, wanted to ensure that Iraq's sovereignty came first: "Those who thought that the Iraqi forces, if the American forces can leave, will be incapable of imposing peace and security, these people proved to be wrong."

President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Press Conference (Transcript and Video)