All Marines to Leave by End of August

All 60,000 U.S. Marines in Iraq and Kuwait are expected to return to their home bases by the end of August, the Marine Corps commandant said.

Gen. Michael Hagee said 100,000 or more Army troops will stay in Iraq to ensure stability, but the Marines, now in southern Iraq, are likely to be replaced by forces from other nations.

The 2,500 Marines of the 24th Expeditionary Unit are to arrive home Monday at Camp Lejeune, N.C., after nine months abroad. They will be the first major U.S. ground force to return from Iraq.