Romney accuses Obama of weakness abroad, leaks

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney accused President Barack Obama on Tuesday of weakness in the face of US adversaries and promised he would be firm against Iran and China as he prepares to head overseas to boost his foreign policy credentials.

The former Massachusetts governor visits Britain, Israel and Poland this week to try to disprove Democratic accusations that he is inexperienced abroad.

As US presidential candidates often do, Romney vowed to maintain US' leading role in the world. But his comments were among the most direct yet in his criticism of Obama's handling of Washington's allies and foes.

"This is very simple: If you don't want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your president," Romney told a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "You have that president today."

Speaking in an animated way, the Republican blamed his Nov. 6 election rival for a cooling of relations with Israel and for "shabby treatment" of the key US ally in the Mideast.

Although US voters remain focused on the economy, international issues like the war in Afghanistan, the conflict in Syria and the growing influence of China make for a critical backdrop in the campaign for the Nov. 6 election.

Romney promised a hard line against Iran to prevent it from producing a nuclear weapon and said, "There must be a full suspension of any enrichment, whatsoever, period."

"It is a mistake - and sometimes a tragic one - to think that firmness in American foreign policy can bring only tension and conflict," Romney said.