Brussels: President Barack Obama says he makes no apology for seeking the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban in a prisoner exchange that has caused a furor in the United States and has followed the president on his European trip this week.

Obama says the US has a basic principle of not leaving any service man or woman behind and said Bergdahl's health had been deteriorating. He says, quote, "we were deeply concerned about it."

Obama spoke during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Brussels.

Bergdahl was released following a deal between the US and the Taliban that was brokered by Qatar. Five Taliban detainees held in Guantanamo were released as part of the exchange.

Republicans and Democrats have objected to the swap.(PTI)