GETTY•AFP Barack Obama is set to let 10,000 Syrians into the US

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The President insisted it is "important" for the US and Europe to take their share of refugees fleeing the war-torn country. He recently announced plans to let 10,000 Syrians through America's borders – but experts have warned his pledge may take years and they have only taken in 1,500 so far. The President, who discussed the crisis with Spain's King Felipe VI at the White House, added the situation has become "worse over the last several months".

He said: "We agreed that this is going to require cooperation with all the European countries and the United States and the international community. "And we discussed how we can continue to strengthen that cooperation. "And I discussed the fact that the United States feels it is important for us to also take our share of Syrian refugees as part of this overall humanitarian effort."

GETTY The President discussed the crisis for Spain's King Felipe VI

Mr Obama's comments are likely to spark more accusations that he is interfering in European matters. In July he urged the UK to remain in the hated European Union, saying it "gives us much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union". Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall branded Mr Obama "the most anti-British president in a generation" after his controversial comments. And Suzanne Evans, the party's deputy chairman, said: "I do hope you'll forgive me, Mr President, if on this one I take not a blind bit of notice, because you're wrong."

Barack Obama in pictures Thu, November 24, 2016 Barack Obama, President of the United States in pictures Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 130 U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama serve Thanksgiving dinner to residents of AFRH in Washington