Obama Hails UK Ahead Of Referendum

The United Kingdom appears to have "worked pretty well'', Barack Obama declared as he said America's interest in the Scottish referendum issue was to ensure it retained a "strong, robust, united and effective ally''.

The US president was pressed for his thoughts on the question of independence as he appeared alongside Prime Minister David Cameron at a press conference following the G7 summit in Brussels.

"There is a referendum process in place and it is up to the people of Scotland,'' he told reporters.

"The United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well.

"And we obviously have a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner.

"But ultimately these are decisions that are to be made by the folks there.''