( CNN ) -- President Obama lauded the U.S. military in Baghdad on Tuesday during an unannounced visit to Iraq , reminding troops that the next 18 months will be difficult as the United States plans to start withdrawing its forces . President Obama greets troops during a visit to Camp Victory on Tuesday . `` I was just discussing this with your commander , but I think it 's something that all of you know . It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis , '' Obama said , according to a transcript from the White House . `` They need to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty . `` And in order for them to do that , they have got to make political accommodations . They 're going to have to decide that they want to resolve their differences through constitutional means and legal means . They are going to have to focus on providing government services that encourage confidence among their citizens . '' Obama reiterated that Iraqis must do those things themselves , and `` we ca n't do it for them . '' `` But what we can do is make sure that we are a stalwart partner , that we are working alongside them , that we are committed to their success , '' he added . Watch Obama thank the troops » . Obama said that in terms of training the Iraqi security forces , the U.S. must make sure `` they know that they have a steady partner with us . '' Obama 's visit to Iraq was the last stop on his first trip overseas as president . The president thanked the troops for giving Iraq `` the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country . '' Read the transcript . The president addressed about 1,500 service members , civilians and contractors who gathered in the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace , one of dozens of palaces that were used by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein . The palace is now headquarters for the Multi-National Corps . Obama last month announced the United States ' plan to withdraw most of its troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010 . A residual force of between 35,000 to 50,000 troops will remain until December 31 , 2011 . There are 142,000 American troops in Iraq now . Gen. Ray Odierno , the top U.S. commander in Iraq , met Obama shortly after Air Force One landed Tuesday in Baghdad at about 4:42 p.m . The troops `` are doing extraordinary work , '' Obama said shortly after landing . `` They 're just putting their heart and soul into this . '' About 600 troops assembled to greet the president at Camp Victory , near the Baghdad airport . Yassin Majid , the spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki , said Obama met with the prime minister , and they discussed bilateral relations and other issues . Obama also was to meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the nation 's two vice presidents . Ali Jalal , a businessman , called Obama 's visit `` a good sign to Iraqi people , and will solve the political crisis . '' `` If God wills , he [ Obama ] should know that Iraq belongs to Iraqis , '' Jalal said , then added , `` I ask the U.S. President Barack Obama to solve the problems of Iraqi people and to speed up the withdrawal of U.S . troops . '' Government employee Nazar Sami-a said , `` His visit is for Americans ' interest and not for Iraqi interest . '' Obama arrived in Europe last week for a series of summits , initially meeting with world leaders at the G-20 summit in London , England , to discuss the global financial crisis . At the NATO summit in France and Germany , the president was hoping to get a boost in resources for the war in Afghanistan . He did get allies to pledge about 5,000 troops , but in the form of police and security trainers , not combat troops . During the campaign season , Obama visited Iraq on a multi-stop overseas trip . That trip also included stops in Afghanistan , Jordan , Israel , Germany , France and the United Kingdom . A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 79 percent of Americans surveyed feel that Obama has had a `` more positive '' effect on how people in other countries view the United States . Only 19 percent of those surveyed thought he 's had a `` more negative '' effect . The poll also indicated that only 35 percent of Americans currently approve of the U.S. war in Iraq ; 65 percent disapprove . Almost seven in 10 Americans agree with Obama 's plan to remove most U.S. troops from Iraq by next August , while leaving a residual force of between 35,000 and 50,000 troops . CNN 's Ed Henry and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report .
NEW : Iraq says Iraq needs to take responsibility for its sovereignty . NEW : Obama thanks troops for giving Obama the chance to `` stand on its own '' Obama arrived in Europe last week for a series of summits . Poll shows only 35 percent of American feel Obama improving Obama image abroad .