U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday called on Americans to work together in the face of " tough fights" in the new year.

"We've got some difficult debates and some tough fights to come, " the president said in his final weekly address of the year. "As I've said before, we are at a make-or-break moment for the middle class."

Obama lauded Congress for passing a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance earlier this month, and urged lawmakers to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012.

He also called on Americans to get their voice heard by calling or emailing their representatives in Washington.

"It was good to see Members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans. But it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate," he said.

The president has been projecting himself to be the savior of the American middle class, while depicting congressional Republicans as representatives of the nation's wealthiest. That theme is expected to continue in the new year and through his re- election campaign.

In the address, Obama also touted his foreign policy achievement including the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and ending the Iraq war as well as winding down of the war in Afghanistan.

Despite these progress, Obama is expected to be judged overwhelmingly by his handling of the country's economy when Americans cast their ballots in November 2012.

He admitted that while there have been signs of economic recovery, "too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead."