The Hill News

Less than 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, a top general said Tuesday, representing the final drawdown of American forces for the next 16 months. 

"Today, in line with President Obama's direction and as part of the responsible drawdown of forces, U.S. military force levels in Iraq are below 50,000," the military announced, according to Agence France-Presse.

Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. general in Iraq, said at a press briefing in Baghdad that around 49,700 troops are now in the country and that "it will stay at that level through next summer."

The move comes after a major drawdown of combat troops last week that left about 6,000 still stationed in the country. That troop movement began the end-phase of the combat stage of the war, which began in 2003, and began a new era of U.S. involvement there.

Remaining U.S. troops in Iraq will help train and provide support for the Iraqi security forces.

Vice President Joe Biden said in a speech before a veterans group on Monday that U.S. involvement in Iraq will last over the long term. 

His remarks came about one week before President Obama is expected to deliver a major address on the Iraq troop drawdown and U.S. national security objectives.