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Obama ends last leg of his Middle East, European tour

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-27 10:49

LONDON -- US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is winding up the last leg of his "world tour" to the Middle East and Europe designed to boost his say in foreign affairs amid a presidential campaign dead heat back in the United States.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) shows US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama the terrace at 10 Downing Street in London, July 26, 2008. [Agencies]

On Saturday, Obama told a news conference that "the reason that I thought this trip was important is that I am convinced that many issues that we face at home are not going to be solved as effectively unless we have strong partners abroad."

When meeting with British Prime Minister Gorden Brown Saturday, he said "We share the same language and the same belief" and Britain and the United States have gone through the world wars together and share same views on the world order."

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In a move to respond to criticism that he is "naive and innocent" in foreign policy, Obama also discussed climate change, international terrorism and the Middle East situation with Brown and reiterated his call for increasing the number of US troops in Afghanistan.

During his visit to France, Obama held discussions with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Sarkozy said there was a "great convergence of views" with Obama and that they had much to do in dealing with issues such as climate change, reform of world institutions and the maintenance of world peace.

In Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had "very open and in-depth" talks with Obama on Thursday.

During the one-hour talks, Merkel and Obama exchanged views on a wide range of key international issues, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East peace process.

They also discussed the trans-Atlantic economic partnership, climate change and energy issues, the state of the global economy and the need for cooperation on the international level and in international organizations to tackle important global issues.

During his 30-hour stay at Israel and the Palestinian territory, the White House hopeful projected himself as an active and constructive partner in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and as a steadfast opponent to a nuclear Iran.

"I'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States and my abiding commitment to Israel's security and my hope that I can serve as an effective partner, whether as a US senator or as president," he told Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday.

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