Washington: Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama has agreed to two debates with rival Hillary Clinton, before their next nominating clash in Pennsylvania on April 22,his campaign said. Obama had accepted televised debates on ABC television in Philadelphia on April 16 and a second encounter on CBS three days later in North Carolina, which holds a primary on May 6,Obama's campaign said yesterday.

The Clinton campaign earlier said the New York Senator had also accepted the Philadelphia debate, but there was no immediate word on the second encounter.

The one-on-one debate format is seen by her aides as particularly advantageous for Clinton, and she has been eager to take part in as many debates against Obama as possible.

"Senator Obama welcomes the opportunity to openly debate Senator Clinton on the issues important to Americans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and hopes that she will accept these invitations as well," campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.

Source : PTI