Terrorists in Pak, Afghan a global threat: Obama

President Barack Obama has sounded a stern warning to the world on terrorists operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Speaking to State Department officials, Obama said the worsening situation in the region poses a grave threat to global security. Obama made it clear that his administration's terror policy would be reviewed and refocussed on the region.

He said: "Afghanistan and Pakistan are the central front in the America's war against terrorism and the deteriorating situation in the region poses a grave threat to the global security. It's an international challenge of the highest order. That's why we are pursuing a careful review of our policy"

President Obama has not yet said anything on India.

In Delhi, Defence Minister A K Antony said India welcomes Obama's remark on terrorists in Pakistan. "World has realised Pakistan is the epicentre of terror," he said.

PTI adds: Addressing the officials of the State Department after Richard Holbrooke was appointed Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Obama said, "There, as in the Middle East, we must understand that we cannot deal with our problems in isolation."

Obama said his administration is committed to refocusing attention and resources on Afghanistan and Pakistan and to spending those resources wisely. "That's why we are pursuing a careful review of our policy," he said.

Terming it as an international challenge of the "highest order", he said, "There is no answer in Afghanistan that does not confront the Al-Qaida and Taliban bases along the border, and there will be no lasting peace unless we expand spheres of opportunity for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan."

However, Obama said the situation can't be resolved so quickly in the region.

Meanwhile, special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke said he would soon head towards the troubled region in South Asia to have a firsthand assessment of the situation on the ground.

In his acceptance speech, soon after he was appointed as the Special US Representative for the troubled region by the Secretary of State

, Hillary Clinton, Holbrooke termed Pakistan situation as extremely complex.

"I don't think I would advance our goals if I tried to discuss it today," he said yesterday in presence of the President, Barack Obama, and the Vice President, Joe Biden, besides Clinton at a function held at the State Department headquarters.

source : NDTV.com