Washington, Rabi'II 13, 1434, Feb 23, 2013, SPA - U.S. President Barack Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Oval Office of the White House Friday. "Japan is one of our closest allies, and the U.S.-Japan alliance is the central foundation for our regional security and so much of what we do in the Pacific region," Obama told reporters alongside Abe after the meeting. "And that friendship extends not just between our governments but also between our peoples." Obama said that he discussed a "wide range" of issues with Abe during the meeting, including North Korea's actions and a response to those actions, Japan's support of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, and the countries' shared effort in trying to resolve the nuclear crisis with Iran. The president said they also vowed a stronger counterterrorism effort in response to the assault on the British Petroleum plant in Algeria. "As a result of our discussion, we were able to share our understanding on not just concrete policy but on the direction to which our alliance is headed. I think I can declare with confidence that the trust and the bond in our alliance is back," Abe said. The prime minister said that the security environment in the Asia-Pacific is "becoming more and more difficult," and the countries need to work together to create order there. Abe also said that they "cannot tolerate the actions of North Korea." --SPA 11:15 LOCAL TIME 08:15 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1081041