Spain denies it is about to ask for a bailout

European leaders must make difficult decisions to steer the eurozone away from crisis, US President Obama says.

Speaking at the White House, Mr Obama said the US would support Europe as it implemented the hard solutions needed to solve the ongoing debt crisis.

He made his comments as the Spanish government attempted once again to play down suggestions that they were on the point of formally asking for a bank bailout from the eurozone.

The BBC's Europe Editor Gavin Hewitt reports from Madrid.