Obama meets China, Japan leaders amid sea tensions
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - President Barack Obama is closing his Asian tour in diplomatic talks with leaders of Japan and China, their economic message overshadowed by security tensions over disputed waters and territories.
The crisis between Israel and Hamas militants intervened, too, as Obama rushed his top diplomat straight from Cambodia to the Mideast.
Obama was wrapping up four days in Southeast Asia on Tuesday and starting the long journey home, where fiscal deadlines and decisions await.
On the margins of the East Asia Summit here, Obama met with two Asian leaders, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (win jah-bow) and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, (yoh-shih-HEE'-koh NOH'-duh) who is likely to be replaced.
Obama is seeking to broaden U.S. influence in a part of the world long dominated by China.