Obama: 'most urgent task' is to restore US economy

On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama emphasized his "most urgent task" is to restore the American economy and get the unemployed back to work.

During  a prime-time speech centered mainly on Iraq, Obama also wanted  to reassure Americans regarding  his commitment to discuss the country’s economic woes, highlighting lingering concerns about stubbornly high unemployment and sluggish growth.

"Today, our most urgent task is to restore our economy
, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work," said Obama, whose Democratic Party fears a trouncing in November’s midterm elections.

"To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy."

The president appealed on citizens to show innovation and jump-start industries that build new jobs, while stressing the need for America to wean itself off its "dependence on foreign oil."

"We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs," Obama said.

"This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as president."

He said that soldiers returning home from Iraq must be given the chance to "apply their gifts to expand the American economy."

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