Obama begins Middle East visit
Barack Obama begins first tour to Middle East since taking office
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Wednesday, 03, Jun 2009 11:43
Barack Obama is to begin his first tour of the Middle East since taking office later today.
The US president is due to visit Saudi Arabia before heading on to Egypt where he will make a keynote speech on his vision for improved relations between the United States and the Middle East.
Prior to Mr Obama's visit, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "He [Mr Obama] will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them."
Mr Obama has previously stated it is not his intention for the US to preach or lecture to other nations but that he wanted to open up dialogue with the Middle Eastern countries in a bid to improve ties with the Muslim world and overcome previous differences linked to the Bush administration.
One of Mr Obama's main foreign policy priorities is the return of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and he is expected to discuss the ongoing negotiations with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia later today.
Egypt too has constantly acted as an intermediary between both sides and the subject will no doubt be discussed on Thursday also.
The president has already come in for some criticism ahead of the trip, with human rights group highlighting Egypt's controversial approach to political freedom.
A message linked to the deputy leader of al-Qaida Ayman al-Zawahiri was also released yesterday referenced the ongoing military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and warned the US president his "bloody messages" could not be covered by "public relations campaigns or polished words".
After his trip to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Mr Obama will head to Europe for the commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day.