President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron Address Terrorism

Combating the threat of terrorism topped the agenda of Friday’s joint press conference with President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron. Both world leaders denounced recent acts of terror in France and Nigeria, while reaffirming their continuing efforts to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria and Al-Qaeda.

“When the United States and United Kingdom stand together, our nations are more secure and our people are more prosperous,” Obama said.

The two world leaders spoke at length about facing national and cyber security threats, which both said have dominated their talks throughout the two days Cameron has been in Washington. Obama called the United Kingdom one of the U.S.’s “strongest counterterrorism partners,” saying the countries continue to work with their allies to curb the threat of ISIS.

The White House announced Thursday the U.S. and the UK agreed to strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity. Cameron said the two countries “alliance stands strong, rooted in its long history and reinvigorated by the challenges we face today.”

President Obama called the United Kingdom one of the United State’s “greatest friends and strongest allies,” noting the the Prime Minister is one his his “closest and most trusted partners in the world,” noting that there had been much speculation about what the President meant when he called Cameron “bro.”

“We see the world the same way,” Obama said.

Obama and Cameron also spoke against expanding sanctions in Iran, with the President saying he will veto any new sanctions on Iran that are presented before negotiations are done.

“We not get there, but we have a chance to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully,” Obama said. “My main message to Congress at this point is, just hold your fire.”