President Obama and PM Cameron dish up burgers at honouring American and British veterans in UK Visit.

* Taliban must make 'decisive split' with al Qaida, says Cameron in joint press conference with Obama after garden party

Forget table tennis - this is the ultimate photo opportunity for Barack Obama and David Cameron.

The UK and U.S. leaders forged a special culinary relationship today as they manned the grill at a barbecue in honour of servicemen in the garden at No. 10.

It was a moment of fun after this morning's in-depth talks on issues ranging from military campaigns in Libya and Afghanistan to global economic reform.

 Obama and Cameron diligently serve a burger to a soldier wounded in service during the garden party

 U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister, serve food at the barbecue for British and American service members and veterans

 Michelle Obama, the wife of the U.S. President, and Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister, pose with their husbands on the steps of 10 Downing Street yesterday

 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague to join Obama at 10 Downing Street

 Mr Obama made the short journey in Cadillac One - his bombproof limousine known as 'The Beast' - from Buckingham Palace

Mr Obama's motorcade travels along the Mall as it leaves Buckingham Palace to go to Downing Street this morning

Barack Obama and David Cameron serve food from a barbecue as they entertain British and American service members and veterans at 10 Downing Street today

 Obama and Cameron wave to members of the media outside the Prime Minister's official residence, prior to their meeting

Mr Obama speaks during a joint press conference with David Cameron at Lancaster House today. The Prime Minister said the next 12 months represented a 'vital year' in Afghanistan

The pair gamely served the cooked meat at the lunch party while their wives, Samantha and Michelle, spooned side dishes onto the plates of 150 American and British service members.

The Prime Minister and the President appeared at ease as they performed their catering duties in shirt sleeves, chatting and laughing while they worked.

Even the menu appeared to reflect the strong transatlantic bond the two countries have insisted upon so firmly, featuring both British and American dishes.

British sausages, Kentish rosemary lamb chops and hot Jersey Royal potatoes were served with American staples such as hamburgers, corn on the cob and coleslaw.

There was also a tomato, mozzarella and basil salad and Caesar salad, followed by a dessert of summer berries and vanilla ice-cream.

The bilateral partnership was further symbolised by the interspersed Union flag and Stars and Stripes bunting draped overhead.

Both leaders worked together to pile food on to one wounded soldier's plate, as other guests queued at the food-laden tables.

Following the barbecue, Obama and Cameron gave a joint press conference in which the Prime Minister said Taliban must make a 'decisive split' with al Qaida if a political settlement in Afghanistan is to be brokered.

Speaking outside Lancaster House in London, Mr Cameron said the U.S. operation against Osama bin Laden represented a 'strike right at the heart of international terrorism'.

Mr Cameron said the next 12 months represented a 'vital year' in Afghanistan, while British and American troops had 'broken the momentum of the insurgency' in the country.

In the Taliban heartland of Kandahar and central Helmand, the insurgents were 'on the back foot', the Prime Minister said.

Calling for a political settlement, he told the press conference: 'Now is the moment to step up our efforts to reach a political settlement.

Obama arrived at Downing Street before 10am this morning for discussions with Cameron as he got down to the real political business of his state visit.

During the talks, the U.S. President insisted the alliance between America and the UK is key to providing global security after a 'difficult decade'.

Nick Clegg proved that three isn't always a crowd as he joined the leaders and was seen sharing a joke with the President.

Mr Obama was smiling broadly after making the short journey in Cadillac One - his bombproof limousine known as 'The Beast' - from Buckingham Palace.

The leaders greeted each other with a handshake before Mr Obama patted the Prime Minister on the shoulder.

They then shook hands again on the steps of No. 10 but they were not joined by Mr Cameron's wife Samantha and Michelle Obama.

Both men waved to the army of press photographers gathered on the opposite pavement before walking inside, Mr Obama placing his hand on Mr Cameron's back as they did so.

Helicopters whirred overhead, taking part in the major security operation to protect the President during his visit.

Mr Obama and Mr Cameron are to spend the morning holding talks before a joint press conference in Downing Street which is bound to be studied intently for clues to the strength of their 'special relationship'.

The highlight of the day is lik

He is expected to tell MPs and peers that even though the world has changed significantly since the Second World War, the UK-US relationship and the broader transatlantic alliance is still the 'cornerstone of global security'.

The 'Arab Spring' in the Middle East and North Africa reinforce that the allies' shared beliefs are 'not just relevant but essential', he is to say.

The president will also strike an optimistic note by claiming that the world is 'turning a corner' following a 'difficult decade'.

As well as operations winding down in Iraq, the shift to Afghanistan taking control of its own security has begun, and al Qaida has been 'weakened' by successes such as the recent killing of Osama bin Laden.

Yesterday, large parts of central London were brought to a standstill as crowds gathered to welcome the president for his first state visit.

After being greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, the president and first lady met newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Mr Obama and Mr Cameron then dropped in on a south London school where they took off their jackets to play two schoolboys at table tennis.

But the Anglo-American team took a sound beating at the hands of 16-year-olds Jason Do and Jamiyu Mojaji at the Globe Academy in Southwark.

Mr and Mrs Obama then attended a star-studded state banquet in the president's honour at Buckingham Palace last night as the Queen hailed the US as Britain's 'most important ally'.

She insisted the relationship was 'tried, tested and, yes, special' and the two nations together contributed to security and prosperity of the world.

'I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the United States and the United Kingdom stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the world will be more secure and more prosperous,' the Queen said.

Responding with his own toast, Mr Obama spoke of the 'rock-solid foundation' between the two countries.

'From that day to this, you have been our closest partner in the struggle to protect our people from terrorism attacks and violent extremism from around the world despite very heavy sacrifices here,' the president said.

'As we confront the challenges of the 21st century together we have can confidence in the partnership our two countries share, based on a rock-solid foundation built during Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of extraordinary service to her nation and to the world.'

Mr Cameron and Mr Obama sat down for talks in the White Room of No 10 shortly before 10am this morning.

As about a dozen photographers took pictures at the start of the meeting, the president joked: 'All right guys, one of those must have worked.'

Foreign Secretary William Hague and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed the two leaders into Number 10 half an hour later.

Mrs Clinton waved briefly and smiled as she entered.

Earlier, the smartly dressed driver of the president's vehicle brushed down its shiny exterior as she waited for him outside the Prime Minister's residence.

Mr Obama and Mr Cameron were joined by Nick Clegg at about 10.15am.

Shaking hands with the Deputy Prime Minister, the US leader said: 'Wonderful to see you.'

Mr Clegg, gesturing to the sunlit windows, said: 'You've brought the sun today.'

At about 10.40am, the President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister moved to the Cabinet Room for talks on security with other ministers, advisers and officials.

Mr Cameron and Mr Obama sat opposite each other in the centre of the coffin-shaped Cabinet table, the Prime Minister flanked by Mr Clegg and Mr Hague, and the President by Mrs Clinton and the U.S. Ambassador to London, Louis Susman.

Other British ministers attending included Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May.

Obama: Would raid Pakistan again if militant found

President Barack Obama is seen being interviewed by Britian’s Andrew Marr of the BBC in the Diplomatic Reception Room in the White House, in Washington on May 21, 2011..


US President Barack Obama would approve a new incursion into Pakistan if the United States found another leading militant there, he said in a BBC interview broadcast today.

US Navy Seals killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the September 11 attacks on US cities in 2001, in a raid on his fortified compound in Pakistan on May 2, ending a manhunt for the world’s most-wanted militant.



Asked if Obama would do the same again if the United States discovered another “high-value target” in Pakistan or another country, such as a senior al Qaeda member or Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, he said he would “take the shot”.

“We are very respectful of the sovereignty of Pakistan. But we cannot allow someone who is actively planning to kill our people or our allies’ people, we can’t allow those kind of active plans to come to fruition without us taking some action,” Obama told the BBC.

“I had made no secret. I had said this when I was running for the presidency, that if I had a clear shot at bin Laden, that we’d take it.”

Obama’s comments echoed those of US Senator John Kerry, a Democrat close to his administration and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Asked this month if the United States would conduct a similar raid in Pakistan to kill Omar if they knew his whereabouts, he said Washington would consider all its options.

US officials have long maintained Omar fled to Pakistan after the Taliban government was overthrown in late 2001 by US-backed Afghan forces and is still in hiding there. Islamabad has denied reports he is in Pakistan.

Obama arrives in Britain on Tuesday for a three-day state visit — the first state visit by a US president since 2003.

He will hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and address the parliament to hail the two countries’ special relationship and stress the importance of transatlantic ties.

Al Qaeda leader's last moments now captured in toy bricks

Despite documenting an iconic historial moment, the pictures detailing Osama Bin Laden's death were still subject to days of mocked up internet viral treatment.

But one artist has immortalised the famous Navy Seal raid on Bin Laden's Pakistan compound in unique style - by recreating the pictures in Lego.

Student Alex Eylar mocked up his own version of the Al-Qaeda leader's demise by picturing him as a Lego man sat on a bed about to be gunned down by Lego commando.

Another painstakingly-detailed picture recreates the dramatic moment President Obama and his senior staff watch the Navy Seal raid from the White House Situation Room.

Alex's version shows President Obama - who strangely has a mop of black hair - sat watching the raid with other toy brick White House staff including a Lego Hilary Clinton.

Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the national security team are also shown in Lego form staring at their monitors.

 Recreation: Bin Laden sat watching TV in his Pakistan compound also became a defining image following his death.Tension: The defining image of President Obama watching the raid from the White House Situation Room also got the toy brick treatment.Block and load: Two Lego commandos confront Bin Laden in his compound in artist Alex's recreation

President Obama described the time spent watching Navy Seal Team Six raid on Bin Laden's Abbottabad compound as 'the longest 40 minutes of my life'.

He said: 'We knew as events unfolded what was happening in and around the compound, but we could not get information clearly about what was happening inside the compound.'

'And it was the longest 40 minutes of my life, with the possible exception of when Sasha got meningitis when she was three months old, and I was waiting for the doctor to tell me that she was all right. It was a very tense situation.

A third reconstruction shows the infamous moment Bin Laden was pictured sat in his squalid lair watching television reports about himself.

The 22-year-old's interpretation is much more colourful than the drab living space where Bin Laden was spotted in real life.

But the artist still includes telltale details like the terror chief's brown blanket and spare computer monitor.

The detailed recreation even includes the Al-Qaeda mastermind's bolster pillow, satellite decoder and the remote control which he points at the TV.

Lego expert Alex has previously recreated famous movie scenes using the famous toy blocks, including American Beauty and A Clockwork Orange.

Navy Seals In Action

Details of Osama Bin Laden raid reveal how close mission came to failure

* Obama did not ask who shot Bin Laden after meeting SEAL Team Six
* 23 SEALs raided compound, wile others waited outside for Pakistani forces
* Weight of men and gear on Stealth Blackhawks measured to within an ounce
* Interpreter and search dog called Cairo part of raiding team
* 'Two dozen' more SEALS waited in back up Chinooks
* Element of surprise ruined after Blackhawk crashed in front yard

It was the single most important U.S. military mission of the last decade - capture or kill Osama Bin Laden.

With state of the art technology and an unparalleled level of secrecy, every part of the mission had been planned to the second.

But new details have emerged showing just how close run the fabled SEAL Team Six assault on Bin Laden's hideout was, after the plan quickly fell apart.

Adding exclusive new details to the account of the assault , officials described just how the SEAL raiders were forced to ditch a foundering helicopter right outside the elusive terrorist's door, ruining the plan for a surprise assault.

Silence: Team six have been told by their commander to remain tight lipped about the raid on Osama bin Laden's house

Caught out: Osama bin Laden's compound was filled with evidence which the SEALs scooped up before fleeing the compound

Versatile: While they are associated with sea operations, they can operate in any environment, including high altitude parachute insertion

Deadly: Navy SEALs are highly trained and well equipped elite soldiers used in the most challenging of missions

Unravelling: The Black Hawk helicopter, like the one seen here, could not cope with the unforeseen hot weather and had to land

Auspicious: Team six was selected to carry out the mission, and it is understood they will soon return to active duty in Afghanistan

Destroyed: The SEALs wasted no time blowing up the helicopter during the mission

Speaking on condition of anonymity, officials close to the operation revealed how originally two SEAL teams were to enter Bin Laden's house separately - one from the roof and one from the ground.

The aim was to 'squeeze' the terror mastermind as the raiders worked their way through the complex from both sides in search of their target.

But almost immediately the raid ran into trouble after one of the specially adapted 'stealth' Blackhawk helicopters became unsteady and had to ditch - nose first - into the compound's courtyard.

Loosing the element of suprise, the SEAL's switched to plan B as they busted into the ground floor and began a floor-by-floor storming of the house, working up to the top level where they had assumed bin Laden - if he was in the house - would be.

It took approximately 15 minutes to reach Bin Laden, one official said.

The raiders came face-to-face with the Al-Qaeda leader in a hallway outside his bedroom, and three of the Americans stormed in after him, U.S. officials have revealed.

Fearing he would detonate a suicide vest, the SEALS flung his wives aside before shooting him in the head and chest - known as 'double tapping'.

The next 23 minutes were spent blowing up the broken Black Hawk, after rounding up nine women and 18 children, to get them out of range of the blast.

The decision to launch on that moonless May 2 night came largely because too many American officials had been briefed on the plan and it was feared it could be leaked to the press and Bin Laden would disappear yet again.

The job was given to elite SEAL Team 6 unit, just back from Afghanistan, who had been hunting bin Laden in eastern Afghanistan since 2001.

Five aircraft flew from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, with three school-bus-size Chinook helicopters landing in a deserted area roughly two-thirds of the way to bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

Aboard two Black Hawk helicopters were 23 SEALs, an interpreter and a tracking dog named Cairo.

Nineteen SEALs would enter the compound, and three of them would find bin Laden, one official said, with two dozen more SEALs there as backup.

The Black Hawks were specially engineered to muffle the tail rotor and engine sound.

The added weight of the stealth technology meant cargo was calculated to the gram, with weather factored in.

The Black Hawks were to drop the SEALs and depart in less than two minutes, in hopes locals would assume they were Pakistani aircraft visiting the nearby military academy.

One was to hover above the compound, with SEALs sliding down ropes into the open courtyard, while the other was to hover above the roof to drop SEALs there, then land more SEALs outside, plus an interpreter and the dog, who would track anyone who tried to escape and to alert SEALs to any approaching Pakistani security forces.

If troops appeared, the plan was to hunker down in the compound, avoiding armed confrontation with the Pakistanis while officials in Washington negotiated their passage out.

The two SEAL teams inside would work toward each other, in a simultaneous attack from above and below, their weapons silenced, guaranteeing surprise, one of the officials said.

They would have stormed the building in a matter of minutes, as they'd done time and again in two training models of the compound.

But the plan unravelled as the first helicopter tried to hover over the compound.

The Black Hawk skittered around uncontrollably because of the hot weather and the heat-thinned air forced the pilot to land.

As he did, the tail and rotor got caught on one of the compound's 12ft high walls. The pilot quickly buried the aircraft's nose in the dirt to keep it from tipping over, and the SEALs rushed into an outer courtyard.

The other aircraft did not even attempt hovering, landing its SEALs outside the compound.

Now, the raiders were outside, and they'd lost the element of surprise.

They had trained for this, and started blowing their way in with explosives, through walls and doors, working their way up the three-level house from the bottom.

They had to blow their way through barriers at each stair landing, firing back, as one of the men in the house fired at them.

They shot three men as well as one woman, whom U.S. officials have said lunged at the SEALs.

Small knots of children were on every level, including the balcony of bin Laden's room.

As three of the SEALs reached the top of the steps on the third floor, they saw bin Laden standing at the end of the hall, before he ducked into his room.

The three SEALs assumed he was going for a weapon, and one by one they rushed after him through the door, one official described.

Two women were in front of bin Laden - yelling and trying to protect him, two officials said.

The first SEAL grabbed the two women and shoved them away, fearing they might be wearing suicide bomb vests, they said.

The SEAL behind him opened fire at bin Laden, putting one bullet in his chest, and one in his head.

Back at the White House Situation Room, word was relayed that bin Laden had been found, signalled by the code word 'Geronimo.'

That was not bin Laden's code name, but rather a representation of the letter 'G.'

Each step of the mission was labelled alphabetically, and 'Geronimo' meant that the raiders had reached step 'G,' the killing or capture of bin Laden, two officials said.

As the SEALs began photographing the body for identification, the raiders found an AK-47 rifle and a Russian-made Makarov pistol on a shelf by the door they'd just run through. Bin Laden hadn't touched them.

They were among a handful of weapons that were removed to be inventoried.

One of the waiting Chinooks flew in to pick up bin Laden's body, the raiders from the broken aircraft and the weapons, documents and other materials seized at the site.

The level of distrust between the U.S. and Pakistan is such that keeping the allies in the dark was a major factor in planning the raid, and led to using the high-tech but sometimes unpredictable helicopter technology that nearly unhinged the mission.

When the SEAL team met President Barack Obama, he did not ask who shot bin Laden but simply thanked each member of the team.

In a few weeks, the team that killed bin Laden will go back to training, and in a couple of months, back to work overseas.