Obama calls Cameron: Discusses Syria, Af-Pak, NSA issues

US President Barack Obama has called up British Prime Minister David Cameron discussing a host of issues that included the Syrian crisis, Af-Pak situation and also briefed him on a review of NSA intelligence activities, the White House said.
In his call yesterday, "The President expressed support for the Prime Minister's ongoing efforts to encourage the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to take concrete steps toward peace and stability," the White House said in a statement.
Cameron has been holding tripartite summits with leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of his effort to bring peace and stability in the region.

The last tripartite talks were held in October in London which were attended by the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Obama updated Cameron on the review of NSA intelligence activities and both leaders noted the intensive dialogue that the two countries have had on these issues, at all levels, it said.
President Obama is set today to announce changes to the US electronic surveillance programmes, based in part on a review of NSA activities undertaken this autumn by a White House panel, the BBC said.

A major part of the conversation, however was focussed on the latest developments on Syria.

"On Syria, the Leaders affirmed their commitment to the Geneva II process and addressed the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict," it said.
Cameron and Obama noted the ongoing progress on dismantling Syria's chemical weapons programme, as well as the important international contributions being made to this effort, including by the two countries.
"They also discussed the growing security challenge posed by extremist groups in Syria and the region," the White House said.
"The two leaders also discussed the results of the all-party talks among Northern Ireland's political parties and they stressed the need for Northern Ireland's political parties to agree to concrete next steps on the Haass proposals, implement the Building a United Community initiative, and more broadly, continue to advance progress on the peace process in Northern Ireland," it said.