Obama tells UN that US focused on more effective fight against al-Qaida and Taliban

UNITED NATIONS – UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Barack Obama is telling the world community that the United States is "waging a more effective fight" against al-Qaida, as the fight in Iraq is drawn down.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly Thursday, Obama said the U.S. is now focused on defeating al-Qaida, and keeping the terror group's affiliates from getting a "safe haven."

Obama told the gathering that U.S. and allied forces are working to break the Taliban's momentum in Afghanistan, and to prepare the Afghan government to start taking responsibility for its own security next year.

He said the U.S. is also working to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of extremists.