US president-elect Barack Obama on Monday (Dec 1) had stated that "sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves" against terrorism, revealed the international news media.

According to the media reports, Obama speaking at a Chicago Press conference told the reporters that his incoming administration would be fully committed to wipe out terrorism.

''What I can say unequivocally is that both myself and my team are absolutely committed to eliminating terrorism,'' he had said.

''We cannot tolerate attacks based on twisted ideology of hate...we will bring the full force of our military, economic and diplomatic power to defeat this. I will be monitoring the situation closely", he had added.

Commenting on the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai , India in which more than 170 people were killed , including 6 US citizens, he had told that his administration would "remain steadfast in support of India's effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice" .

"I expect the world community will feel the same way", he had added.

Also, media reports said that Obama had telephoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the weekend and said that Americans would "stand with the people of India in this dark time."

"I'm confident they're more resilient than the killers who would tear it down", he had stated.

Speaking further on his policy towards global terrorism he had stated that crisis in South Asia would be among the first issues to be occupied by his administration.

"Terror cannot be contained by borders. Last week ,we were reminded of the threat once again", he had stated recalling the Mumbai tragedy.

"In the world we seek, there's no place for those who kill innocent civilians to advance hateful extremism," he had added.