Obama: Karzai is capable of leading Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama says he is confident Afghan President Hamid Karzai can stabilize his nation, but adds that Washington will continue pressuring him to introduce reforms essential to improving living standards.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "I think that President Karzai is capable of leading his country into the 21st Century, and stabilizing it. I think Karzai has the capacity to be that strong partner, and I think that we're going to have to keep on both respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan, and Karzai as the duly elected leader, but continue to put pressure on him to make the kinds of reforms and improvements that will not only mean success for us, but also ultimately success for him."

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Thursday, April 15, 2010. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)