WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama called the situation in Afghanistan "precarious and urgent" on Sunday and said that country should be the central focus of the war on terrorism.

"We have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent and I believe this has to be the central focus, the central front, in the battle against terrorism," Obama said in an interview in Afghanistan with the CBS program' "Face the Nation.

Obama is visiting Afghanistan and Iraq as part of an overseas tour that will also include stops in Europe and the Middle East.

(Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Philip Barbara)

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