WASHINGTON -- The White House said on Monday that the Obama administration prefers a "united" Britain, three days before the Scots cast their votes on whether to split from the kingdom.

"This is a decision for the people of Scotland to make," spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at a daily news briefing. " We certainly respect the right of individual Scots to make a decision."

"But, you know, as the president himself said, we have an interest in seeing the United Kingdom remain strong, robust, united and an effective partner," he added.

In October 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement, allowing Scotland to hold an independence referendum on the question of "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

The vote is scheduled for Thursday.

Cameron on Monday urged the Scots to reject independence and vote "no" in a last ditch bid to save the union that has lasted for more than three centuries.

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