The Obama and Cameron press conference: An outline of the main key points

After bilateral talks and a much talked about barbecue, both held at Ten Downing Street, Barack Obama continued his three-day state visit to the United Kingdom with a joint press conference where he and British Prime Minister David Cameron answered questions posed by the press.

The conference was another opportunity for the two leaders to present a united front while talking about issues ranging from Afghanistan to the economy. The two men assured throughout that they "saw eye to eye" on a range of issues. Both men also reiterated their calls for Libyan leader Col Gaddafi to step down.

Talking about the discussions held earlier on Mr Cameron said the two leaders had discussed a range of subjects, including recent developments in the Middle East, such as in Syria and Yemen, the fight against terrorism and the need to create jobs in the global economy.

As Many of these topics were also discussed in their public address, let us thus come back on the main points discussed in the conference.

• A special relationship and shared values

Both men opened up with praises for each other, as the last few days have been marked by a great display of their friendship and relaxed relationship.

Talking about Obama, David Cameron said: I've got to know him well - whether in routine situations or through phone calls in the middle of the night; I value his leadership and courage and the thoughtful consideration and reason he brings on all the big issues."

While Obama reciprocated Mr Cameron's compliments by adding that, "Since David Cameron took office, we have met or spoken two dozen times. We come from different political traditions but see eye to eye on lots of issues," the two leaders went on to describe their countries relationships.

"We have a history of working together in many areas such as the military, science and business, with people forging friendships together. The relationship is special and essential; it's a living, working partnership, not just a historical one" Cameron added as he explained he had come to know the President well over the past year and had come to "value his leadership and courage".

He described UK-US relations as "a living, working partnership" which is "essential to our security and to our prosperity".

However when asked to draw a parallel with Tony Blair and George W Bush's relationship, the Prime Minister noted that each personal relationship between world leaders was different.

Obama confirmed Mr Cameron's answer by adding that "We have many shared ideals and shared values. Our countries' relationship is special and essential, and is stronger than it has ever been. Our investment relationship is the largest in the world with 1 million jobs in each country depending on it, and it can be made even stronger."

• On security issues, Libya and Afghanistan and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Mr Cameron opened up the discussion of the topic by reminding that terrorism did not need to be explained to either the UK nor the US as both countries have "suffered at its hands."

Confirming his government will follow Obama's bid to support new pro-democracy regimes "We must help elevate changes in North Africa and the Arab world from being a moment in history to a turning point in history. It is a once in a generation moment".

The British leader insisted there was no future for Libya as long as Col Gaddafi remains in power, before warning that both the UK and US were looking at "all options" for "turning up the heat" on the regime.

Mr Obama continued on the subject by noting the international community had made "enormous progress" in Libya in saving civilian lives as he openly condemned regimes using violence against their people

"Gaddafi and his regime need to understand there will be no let-up in the pressure we are applying," he said, adding that the US was "strongly committed to seeing the job through".

On Afghanistan President Obama stressed there is a "broad based international mandate" for the action there and says he is confident they can achieve a political solution there soon.

He pursued by adding he believed Nato forces were "turning the corner" in Afghanistan while Mr Cameron urged the Taliban to make a "decisive split" with al-Qaeda if they wanted to participate in a political dialogue and bring about stability.

He added that the U.K "must work with Pakistan, which has suffered more than any country from terrorism."

Talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, David Cameron congratulated Barack Obama on his recent Middle East speech, which he said was a "bold, visionary speech on the peace process," while adding that, "The road will be long and arduous but the prize is clear".

President Obama insisted his goal is "a Jewish state of Israel that is safe and secure and recognised by its neighbours and a sovereign state of Palestine... I'm confident that can be achieved" he said, but it will require "wrenching compromise" by both sides, before adding that both parties need to realise that peace can only come from them.

• On the Economy and debt issues

Mr Cameron started by confirming Europe will support pro-democracy regimes in the Middle East and North Africa by affirming that the international community needed to seize this "once in a generation moment"

Confirming reports that the region will heavily figure on the G8 agenda, he assured he would push for a "major programme" of political and economic support for new reformist governments in the region at the international conference which will start tomorrow in Deauville. When asked about the two governments' approaches to economic recovery and deficit reduction, Mr Cameron said both countries were committed to reducing debt levels over the next few years.

President Obama admitting that although the pace at which they did this would differ, both countries agreed they share the same goal of creating "broad-based prosperity" and of ensuring governments "lived within their means" and "never mortgaged our futures".

The conference ended with Mr Cameron assuring that the U.K-U.S "partnership will get stronger: it goes beyond foreign affairs and is about creating more responsible societies and delivering transparency and accountability in politics," while Mr Obama thanked the Prime Minister for expressing concern and presenting condolences following the death of tornado victims in America.

All in all the press conference went rather smoothly and both leaders praised each other. They insisted on the deep collaboration they have managed to establish on different levels but somehow still diverged when it came to financial matters and policies.