WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is to make a statement shortly about Iraq as the U.S. nears the deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

ABC News is reporting that its sources are saying that Obama will announce that all U.S. troops in Iraq will draw down to zero by the end of the year.

A White House official says that at 11:30 a.m. today, Obama convened a secure video conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to talk with him about this news.

According to CNN, a small number of troops will remain in Baghdad, attached to the U.S. Embassy.

Obama's announcement may close off the possibility of maintaining a U.S. military presence in Iraq beyond a Dec. 31 withdrawal deadline set in 2008.

It would also mean that after eight years of war in Iraq, Obama would be making good on his promise to wind down the conflict.

More than 4,400 American military members have been killed since the U.S. invaded Iraq in March 2003.

-- The Oregonian