Washington, Saturday. The Republican candidates seeking to replace US President Barack Obama faced off on Saturday in their first televised debate on foreign policy and are set to slam his handling of world affairs.

The issue can define a presidency but is unlikely to decide the November 2012 elections: US voters are focused foremost on the sour economy, and Obama earns far higher marks on terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq than on unemployment.

That won't stop Republicans from slamming the president on those issues, his handling of Iran's suspect nuclear programme, his often tense relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or other matters.

Republicans hope that tarring Obama as an unreliable friend to staunch US ally Israel will energise their conservative Christian base and douse his support among Jewish voters, a key bloc in heavyweight states such as Florida.

The 90-minute debate at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, would be a high-stakes affair for some of the contenders seeking the party's nomination to take on the besieged incumbent.  (AFP)

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