Obama hails nuclear strategy, says preventing proliferation, nuke terrorism top of agenda

WASHINGTON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday hailed the release of a new U.S. nuclear strategy, saying preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism is at the top of U.S. nuclear agenda for the first time.

The White House released the statement shortly after Defense Secretary Robert Gates unveiled the Nuclear Posture Review in a press briefing at the Pentagon.

Obama said the strategy recognizes the greatest threat to U.S. and global security is no longer a "nuclear exchange between nations," but "nuclear terrorism by violent extremists and nuclear proliferation to an increasing number of states."

In addition to putting prevention of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism at the top of U.S. nuclear agenda, he said the strategy further emphasizes the importance of nations meeting their Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations, promising the United States will fulfill its responsibilities as a nuclear power under the NPT.