Kuta (Antara Bali) - US President Barack Obama left Bali, Indonesia, Saturday afternoon after  attending the 19th ASEAN summit and the 6th East Asia Summit held in the tourist resort island since Friday.

At Ngurah Rai international airport, Obama who would head home was seen off by Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Ambassador to the United States Dino Pati Djalal.

Before heading to the US presdiential aircraft Air Force One on the airport's tarmac, Obama shared a light moment with Purnomo.

During the ASEAN and East Asia summits, Obama met with leaders of countries grouped in ASEAN and on a bilateral basis  with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

He also had a bilateral meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Besides discussing various issues and bilateral cooperation, the  leaders also discussed regional and international developments including  those in the South China Sea.

Obama made his Bali visit on the last leg of a tour of the Asia Pacific region.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said earlier President Obama at a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Yudhoyono had said Washington respected the policies the latter was pursuing in handling the problems in Papua.

The security situation in Papua that had been heating up recently was one of the topics of a meeting between the two leaders  on the sidelines of the 19h ASEAN Summit here on Friday.

Faizasyah who was present at the meeting on Friday said Obama listened carefully to President Yudhoyono's explanations on the Indonesian central government's policies on Papua.

He said Obama on the occasion also reiterated the US government's support for the territorial integrity of the Unitary State of Indonesia.(**/T007)

Pewarta:

Editor : Nyoman Budhiana


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