Today on the presidential campaign trail

Obama says there has been security progress in Iraq but now a political solution is needed ... Obama vows to work for breakthrough in Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations ... Obama to bask in Europe's adulation amid hopes for new era in America politics

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Obama: Iraq now needs a political solution

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Tuesday that security in Iraq has improved and that the country's needs must now begin to be addressed politically and diplomatically.

"There is security progress, but now we need a political solution," Obama said in the first news conference of his highly publicized trip abroad.

He reiterated his goal of withdrawing combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of becoming president. But he said he would consult with military commanders to determine how many troops to keep in the country to protect diplomatic and humanitarian operations, to train Iraqis and to conduct counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida in Iraq.

"My goal is to no longer have U.S. troops engaged in combat operations in Iraq," he said.