US President Barack Obama speaks during press conference at conclusion of NATO summit in Strasbourg, 04 Apr 2009U.S. President Barack Obama says the NATO summit has given "strong and unanimous" support to the new U.S. Afghan strategy.

Mr.Obama told a news conference the effort in Afghanistan cannot beAmerica's alone, and that NATO is matching real resources to meet itsgoals in Afghanistan. He spoke in Strasbourg, France at the conclusionof NATO's 60th anniversary summit.

However, he said moreresources will be needed to defeat the Taliban insurgency inAfghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Obama called the agreement to send anadditional 5,000 troops to Afghanistan and their commitment to providemillions of dollars for a trust fund to assist that country showsNATO's seriousness in this case.

Mr. Obama also stressed NATO'sneed for maintaining good ties with Russia. He congratulated DanishPrime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on his confirmation to replaceNATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, calling him the rightperson to lead the alliance in the 21st century.

NATO Secretary-General de Hoop Scheffer, French President Sarkozy and German Chancellor Merkel at North Atlantic Council Summit meeting in Strasbourg, 04 Apr 2009EarlierFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy formally announced his country's fullreturn to NATO's military command after a 40-year break.

Leadersof newly-admitted members Albania and Croatia formally took their seatsat the meeting, as President Obama stressed that the alliance remainsopen to other candidates.

At the start of the day, the leadersjoined Chancellor Angela Merkel and other heads of state and governmenton the German side of the Rhine River for a symbolic walk across abridge leading into France. The leaders were joined halfway byPresident Sarkozy coming from the French side.

Mr. Obama will now fly to Prague for Sunday's U.S.-European Union summit.


Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.