Summary John Kerry hit back at criticism that US was retreating from Middle East and the rest of the world.
DAVOS (AFP) - Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday hit back at criticism that the United States was retreating from the Middle East and the rest of the world.
"Far from disengaging, America is proud to be more engaged than ever, and, I believe, is playing as critical a role as ever in the pursuit of global peace, prosperity, and stability," he told a gathering of political and business leaders in Switzerland.
Kerry highlighted US efforts to kickstart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, a push to rid Syria of its chemical weapons and a landmark deal with Iran to rein in its nuclear program.
"Intensive, creative and strong diplomacy requires cooperation -- and that is exactly why the United States is so engaged in the Middle East and around the world, and why we will stay so," the top US diplomat told the World Economic Forum meeting in the mountain town of Davos.
"As our friends and partners take courageous steps forward, they can be assured that President Obama and his administration will remain engaged for the long haul. But we will also confront these challenges with the urgency that they deserve. We dare not -- and I can assure you we will not -- miss this moment."
Amid turbulence and upheaval across many Arab countries, including the war in Syria, the US administration s foreign policy in the Middle East has been heavily criticised at home and by key Gulf allies for lacking focus.
