Obama 'hopes visit will encourage UK to stay in EU'

Speaking to the BBC at the end of his trip to London, the US President said he expected to conclude a trade deal with the European Union before leaving office in the autumn - though said it may not be ratified during that time.

But if the UK votes to leave the EU, he added, it could take between five and 10 years to reach the same point.

The US leader has made a number of statements during his visit, voicing his view that Britain would be better off remaining a member of the EU.

"My hope is, is that this is something that would have some influence on how voters think," he said.

"For ordinary voters I thought it would be relevant to hear what the president of the United States, who loves the British people and cares deeply about this relationship, has to say about it."

Source: MENA