US Mission Geneva

THE PRESIDENT: Earlier today, I was briefed by my homeland security team on the events in Boston. We’re continuing to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds. And I’ve directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary, and investigate what happened.

President Obama: It is wonderful to have the opportunity to welcome my good friend, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to the Oval Office.

The Obama administration believes that the best end to the crisis in Syria will come about through a negotiated political solution between the Syrian opposition and members of the government.

President Obama has asked Congress to approve $47.8 billion to fund the U.S. Agency for International Development and other international programs for the fiscal year starting October 1

With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend.

Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi and Cape Verde are four African countries that have made remarkable progress in the last few years in establishing peace, building democracy, and laying the groundwork for economic prosperity.

The U.S. is providing an “exceptional amount” of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people and rising levels of nonlethal assistance to the Syrian opposition.

President Obama said Jordan is an example of the benefits of peaceful reforms and told King Abdullah II that the United States will work with him and Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour as they build on Jordan’s progress.

President Obama is calling for an immigration system that is smart, efficient and fair because it is central to his goal of promoting economic innovation and business development, says chief White House economic adviser Alan Krueger.