Pool Reports: Obama Day Three G-8 Meetings

Meeting of the G8 leaders with African Countries and international organizations in L'Aquila.

POTUS arrived around 10:40 at the Guardia di Finanza for the meeting, walking at the head of the US delegation, right after President Mubarak of Egypt (arriving in an electric car ) and Prime Minister Brown (also on foot), and a few minutes before Libyan Leader Moamer Kadhafi. POTUS waved briefly at the photographers. Kadhafi, in a white outfit and black jacket, posed longer than any other leader for the photographs.

When the pool was ushered in POTUS, seated 11 seats down from Prime ministrer Berlusconi around a wide circular table, was engaged in a conversation with Primer minister Singh of India to his right, leaning over the Prime minister's shoulder to hear him. Pooler could not overhear what they were saying. Pool was ushered out after a few minutes while Prime minister Berlusconi was opening the talks.

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Gibbs just announced to the pool that the press conference would be moved to the filing center for a couple of reasons, one of them being that the WH was told by G8 officials they could not guarantee access to everyone. Gibbs said WH found this "unacceptable". Presser was originally scheduled in the "big hall" where Prime minister Berlusconi and POTUS made their statements on Thursday. Time for the presser unchanged.