Sending a strong message to Pakistan and Afghanistan, President Barack Obama today asserted that terrorists will not be allowed to plot against the US from safe havens "half a world away".
He also promised to forge a new and comprehensive strategy with US' allies to defeat Al-Qaeda and combat extremism.
"With our friends and allies, we will forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat Al-Qaeda and combat extremism," Obama said in his maiden address to the joint session of the US Congress.
"I will not allow terrorists to plot against the American people from safe havens half a world away," he said.
As his administration is carefully reviewing its policies in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama said: "I will soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war."