President Obama Speaks In Cairo Thursday Morning

President Barack Obama traveling aboard Air Force One during his trip to the Middle East.

By: Associated Press | News Channel 7
Published: June 04, 2009

You can read the full text of President Obama's speech by clicking here.

CAIRO (AP) - President Barack Obama is calling for "a new beginning" between the United States and the Muslim world, saying it's time to focus on the interests they share rather than their differences.

In a long-awaited speech at Cairo University, Obama touched on his own Muslim roots. He said Muslims have made a great contribution to the United States, and "whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it."

Obama said there must be universal religious freedom, and that the two cultures "need not be in competition."

He also said the Muslim world must not fear globalization and things modern in the world, saying that "there need not be conflict between development and tradition."

Obama speaks out against extremism in Islam

CAIRO (AP) - President Barack Obama says extremists have exploited tensions among Muslims.

Obama on Thursday said that some people in the United States view Islam as hostile to Western countries. Obama says that's not the case, despite fear and mistrust.

Obama is in Cairo delivering a much-awaited speech to repair the United States' relationship with Muslim countries.

Obama says fear and mistrust is not fair. Obama says the United States' relationship with Muslims and their countires should improve. He says such suspicion and distrust must end.

Two-state solution only answer for Mideast

CAIRO (AP) - President Barack Obama says the Israelis and Palestinians must find a way to live side by side, peacefully as two independent states, arguing that this solution ultimately is the only way to end bloodshed and violence.

Obama recognized the long U.S. alliance with Israel in a speech Thursday at Cairo University, calling the bond "unbreakable." But he also said "the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable."

He said America will support any efforts by any parties that recognize the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. Obama said the "United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements." And he called on Palestinians, particularly the Hamas faction, to "abandon
violence" and recognize Israel's right to exist.