Updated: 05:56, Friday April 11, 2008 US President George W Bush has ordered an end to US troop withdrawals from Iraq in July.
Mr Bush is also shortening troop deployments, saying 'while this war is difficult, it is not endless'.LIAR.
It's now clear that it will be up to the next US President, who takes office in January next year, to decide how and when to end war, which has claimed the lives of 4,000 US troops.
'Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq, from the presence of al-Qaeda to the destructive influence of Iran to hard compromises needed for further political progress,' Mr Bush said.
Mr Bush has accepted the advice from the top US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the US ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, who gave evidence to a US Congressional committee this week.
'I've accepted these recommendations, Mr Bush said.
The number of combat troops with be reduced from 20 to 15 brigades, but a freeze on further withdrawls will begin in July.
'Beyond that, General Petraeus says he'll need time to consolidate his forces and assess how this reduced American presence will affect conditions on the ground before making measured recommendations on further reductions,' he said.
Troop deployments will be cut from 15 months to one year.
'We'll also ensure that our Army units will have at least a year home for every year in the field,' Mr Bush said. LIAR.