The United States intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden urged President Barack Obama to pardon him, citing in comments published, it had been morally "necessary" to shine a light on mass surveillance.

After initiating the largest data leaks in US history, fuelling a firestorm over the issue of mass surveillance, the former intelligence contractor has spent three years in exile in Russia.

The 33-year-old said to the Britain's Guardian newspaper in a video-link interview from Moscow, that, "If not for these disclosures, if not for these revelations, we would be worse off."

"Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things," he said.

He insisted that, he had widespread support, saying the "public by and large cares more about these issues far more than I anticipated."

Snowden explained he was prepared to spend time in jail in the United States, adding he was "willing to make a lot of sacrifices for my country". His residency permit in Russia runs out next year.

Oliver Stone, the US anti-establishment director called for Obama to pardon Snowden while unveiling his espionage thriller biopic about the whistleblower at the Toronto film festival earlier this month.

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Nandini