The US President has signed an order authorizing cuts of 85 billion dollars from federal accounts, officially enacting cuts that that he opposed - but failed to avert.

Barack Obama complied with his legal obligations by initiating the automatic, across-the-board cuts in domestic and defence, after the failure of efforts to clinch a deal with Republicans.

White House officials say the measures will mean long lines at US border posts, reduced military readiness, cuts to special needs education programs, and will trim the resources of some emergency services.

Obama blamed the austerity time bomb on Republicans, who refused to close tax loopholes for the rich and corporations, combined with more targeted spending cuts: