SelectPlusAustralia Has Ended Combat Operations in IraqAustralia Has Ended Combat Operations in IraqThe Associated PressAustralia has decided to end combat service in Iraq. The move fulfils a campaign promise by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, saying Australian troops in Iraq made Australia more of a target for terrorism. (June 2)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] SOT:Your work here is now done and it is time to return to your families and loved ones. You should be proud of your achievements. Fulfilling a campaign promise, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is pulling combat troops out of Iraq. On Sunday, troops lowered the Australian flag that had flown in the southern Iraqi city of Talil.SOT:You should be proud of your personal sacrifices and the part you have all played in bringing hope and prosperity to the people of Al Muthanna and Dhi Qa Australia has 550 combat troops in Iraq, mostly responsible for training Iraqis in logistics management, combat service support and counterterrorism operations. About 300 Australian troops will remain in Iraq -- mostly for logistical support. Everyone else will be home by the end of the month.SOT:I don't want to go into the precise detail of how we're going to extract, but fundamentally the extraction of the people will be done fairly quickly. They'll all be out in the month of June. In fact they'll all be back in time for that welcome home on the 28th of June. Six Australian soldiers were wounded while serving in Iraq. The Prime Minister says he remains committed to keeping about one thousand Australian forces stationed in Afghanistan. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE:-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: Kevin White------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: APTN--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: Yes------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: No Access Australia------------------------------- ---SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE:--------------------------------- ---