(VOVworld) – US officials have continued to defend President Barack Obama’s role in the spying program that caused tensions between the US and its partners around the world. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday once again refused the role of President Obama in the spying program of the National Security Agency (NSA). He said Washington had explained that the NSA’s global surveillance program was a tool to serve the Obama administration’s anti-terror campaign. Kerry said the recent spying activities that had caused public discontent were not guided by President Obama. He added that these activities were part of a long-term program and the White House was seeking new ways to combat terrorism while respecting personal rights.

President Obama last week stated that he had never been involved in or investigated the source of US intelligence on its key allies.