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Veteran Expediter
BBC
Mitt Romney has defended his criticism of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, as new US polls suggest the president is ahead with voters.
In an interview with ABC News, Mr Romney described as "inappropriate" a US embassy response to an anti-Islam film which sparked protests.
The Republican candidate added he would like to bring Egypt "closer" to the US.
Polls released a week after the end of the US party conventions show Mr Obama leading nationally and in swing states.
A survey of likely voters shows Mr Obama leading the contest by 3% nationally.
The New York Times/CBS poll also suggested Mr Obama had a strong lead among women, but was less popular with those describing themselves as independents.
A separate poll focussing on swing states seen as crucial to Mr Romney's election chances suggests Mr Obama is holding slight leads in Florida, Virginia and Ohio.
Foreign policy criticism
Mr Romney has been criticised by pundits and Democrats for attacking the Obama administration before the situation in Egypt and Libya became clear. His actions were also questioned by conservatives and Republicans.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, he said the administration appeared to "sympathise with those who waged the attacks".
He was referring to a statement issued by the US embassy in Cairo before protesters there breached the compound - and before it was known Ambassador J Christopher Stevens had been killed in an attack in Libya.
Mr Romney stood by his criticism of the administration as events unfolded on Wednesday, despite a lack of firm support from his Republican party.
In his ABC interview on Friday, Mr Romney said Egypt's relationship with the US was in flux.
"We recognise that Egypt has gone through a dramatic change in government. And what their status will be going forward in terms of the relationship with our nation is something which I'm sure will be developing over time.
"That being said, I would like to bring Egypt closer to us. I think it's important for them to understand that it's an advantage to have a close relationship with the United States, to be an ally of the United States
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BBC News - Mitt Romney defends foreign policy as polls slip
Mitt Romney has defended his criticism of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, as new US polls suggest the president is ahead with voters.
In an interview with ABC News, Mr Romney described as "inappropriate" a US embassy response to an anti-Islam film which sparked protests.
The Republican candidate added he would like to bring Egypt "closer" to the US.
Polls released a week after the end of the US party conventions show Mr Obama leading nationally and in swing states.
A survey of likely voters shows Mr Obama leading the contest by 3% nationally.
The New York Times/CBS poll also suggested Mr Obama had a strong lead among women, but was less popular with those describing themselves as independents.
A separate poll focussing on swing states seen as crucial to Mr Romney's election chances suggests Mr Obama is holding slight leads in Florida, Virginia and Ohio.
Foreign policy criticism
Mr Romney has been criticised by pundits and Democrats for attacking the Obama administration before the situation in Egypt and Libya became clear. His actions were also questioned by conservatives and Republicans.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, he said the administration appeared to "sympathise with those who waged the attacks".
He was referring to a statement issued by the US embassy in Cairo before protesters there breached the compound - and before it was known Ambassador J Christopher Stevens had been killed in an attack in Libya.
Mr Romney stood by his criticism of the administration as events unfolded on Wednesday, despite a lack of firm support from his Republican party.
In his ABC interview on Friday, Mr Romney said Egypt's relationship with the US was in flux.
"We recognise that Egypt has gone through a dramatic change in government. And what their status will be going forward in terms of the relationship with our nation is something which I'm sure will be developing over time.
"That being said, I would like to bring Egypt closer to us. I think it's important for them to understand that it's an advantage to have a close relationship with the United States, to be an ally of the United States
more
BBC News - Mitt Romney defends foreign policy as polls slip