US: Obama urges UK to stay in the European Union

US President Barack Obama has called on the UK to stay within the European Union in an interview with BBC.

In the interview that aired on 23 July, Obama said: "Having the UK in the European Union gives us much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union.

"We want to make sure that the United Kingdom continues to have that influence."

Obama further applauded the EU's strength and said it has, "made the world safer and more prosperous."

The US and UK relationship was also celebrated with Obama referring to British Prime Minister David Cameron as an outstanding partner.

Obama said the UK has been America's "best partner" since it has worked with the US beyond its, "immediate self-interests to make this a more orderly, safer world," reported BBC News.

The US President also brushed on the controversial gun safety laws in the US.

"If you look at the number of Americans killed since 9/11 by terrorism, it's less than 100. If you look at the number that have been killed by gun violence, it's in the tens of thousands," said Obama.

"For us not to be able to resolve that issue has been something that is distressing."