Condemning Baton Rouge attack, Obama calls for unity

Condemning the killing of three police officers and injury to three others during a gun shooting spree in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, President Barack Obama said violence against law enforcement is violence against the nation and called on Americans to "temper our words and open our hearts."

"We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence against law enforcement. Attacks on police are an attack on all of us, and the rule of law that makes society possible. We don't need inflammatory rhetoric. We don't need careless accusations thrown around to score political points or to advance an agenda," CNN quoted President Obama, as saying.

He also underscored the dangers that the police face while performing their duties every day.

"The death of these three police officers underscore the danger that police across the country confront every single day," he said.

He said a fourth police officer in Baton Rouge remains critical and that the killer's motive was still unknown.

Calling on the people to stay united he said, "Only we can prove, through words and through deeds, that we will not be divide. And we're going to have to keep on doing it again and again and again. That's how this country gets united."

In his remarks on Sunday, the President stressed the importance of staying away from divisive rhetoric and actions, particularly ahead of two weeks of the Republican and Democratic conventions where he predicted that political rhetoric would be "more overheated than usual."

"Around the clock news cycles and social media sometimes amplify these divisions. That is why it is so important that everyone: regardless of race or political party or profession, regardless of what organisations you're a part of, everyone right now focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further," he said.

President Obama also offered full support for departments and officers, some of whom say they feel under siege.

"I've spent a lot of time with law enforcement this past week. I'm surrounded by the best of the best every single day. And I know whenever this happens, wherever this happens, you feel it. Your families feel it. But what I want you to know today is the respect and the gratitude of the American people for everything that you do for us," said Obama.