WORLD NEWS

 WASHINGTON: U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to postpone the scheduled tour to Indonesia and Australia to June in order to stay in Washington for pushing the health care reform, said the White House on Thursday.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters at the daily press briefing that President Obama has called Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and would call Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd over the postponement.

It is the second time that the Obama's tour was delayed.

President Obama, who was originally scheduled to visit Indonesia and Australia from March 18 to 24, had delayed the six- day tour to March 21 so that he can stay in Washington for pushing the tough healthcare reform.

Gibbs said that the Obama administration "greatly regret" the delay of the trip, but that the passage of health care reform is " of paramount importance" and President Obama has decided to "see this battle through."