WASHINGTON, Dhu Al-Hijjah 18, 1431, Nov 24, 2010, SPA -- U.S. President Barack Obama and South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak agreed Tuesday night to hold joint military exercises as a first response to North Korea’s deadly shelling of a South Korean military installation. The exercise will include sending the aircraft carrier "George Washington" and a number of accompanying ships into the region, both to deter further attacks by the North. The decision came after President Obama attended the end of an emergency session in the White House Situation Room and then emerged to call President Lee Myung-bak to express American solidarity and talk about a coordinated response. --SPA 13:36 LOCAL TIME 10:36 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/839013