Obama defends use of drones as 'just war' against terrorists

US President Barack Obama has defended the use of drones as a 'just war' of self-defence against terrorists.

In a wide-ranging speech on a programme, he said the campaign had made America safer, and nearly ascertained that no civilians would die in such strikes.

According to the BBC, declaring America at a crossroads in its efforts to combat militancy, Obama also said his administration would be willing to accept increased oversight of drone strikes outside war zones like Afghanistan.

Obama warned that America's perpetual war on terror, whether through drone strikes, special forces operations or troop deployments, would be self-defeating.

Human rights groups have long condemned the use of unmanned drones to carry out killings.

According to the report, the White House said that Obama's speech coincided with the signing of new 'presidential policy guidance' on the use of drone strikes.