Addis Ababa, July 27 (IANS/EFE): US President Barack Obama on Monday defended the agreement reached with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, saying he has not heard a single valid argument against the historic deal.

"I've not yet heard a factual argument on the other side that holds up to scrutiny," the president said.

In a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa, Obama said the pact signed between Iran and the P5 1 to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons was "a good deal".

Obama also took the opportunity to comment on remarks made by Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who branded the agreement "feckless" and "idiotic".

"The particular comments of Mr. Huckabee are part of just a general pattern we have seen that would be considered ridiculous if it weren't so sad," the president said.

Obama said: "There is a reason why 99 percent of the world thinks it's a good deal. It's because it's a good deal."