BURAS - BP Plc's handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was expected to overshadow talks on Saturday between US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron. The two leaders will discuss the crisis against the backdrop of public anger and political pressure on both sides of the Atlantic over the spill, which has fouled coastlines, closed rich fishing grounds and battered BP's share price. BP has been the target of stinging attacks by the White House and its share price has gyrated on London and New York stock exchanges this week. Obama administration officials have threatened to increase BP's liabilities for the spill. Concerns about the London-based energy giant's future - it faces a US government criminal and civil investigation and the prospect of a slew of lawsuits and hefty fines - prompted Cameron and his finance minister on Friday to defend the firm. The British prime minister was quoted by a spokesman as saying after he spoke to BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg that "it is in everyone's interests that BP continues to be a financially strong and stable company." The backing sent the company's share price soaring seven percent in London. Cameron, who took office in May, is due to speak to Obama by telephone call at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) on Saturday. A Cameron spokeswoman said the call would be "statesmanlike and workmanlike." A White House official played down the BP focus, saying it would be just one of a number of issues raised. The call will be a tricky test for the two leaders as both are under pressure to appear tough to voters at home. Obama, criticised by some in the United States over his handling of the unfolding environmental and economic disaster that threatens lucrative fishing and tourist industries, has been seeking to direct public anger toward BP. For his part, Cameron must show Britons that he is not caving in to pressure from his country's most powerful ally at a time when the two nations shoulder many common burdens and problems such as the bitter conflict in Afghanistan.
