Mideast urges Obama focus on Palestinian conflict

By JASON KEYSER, Associated Press Writer

CAIRO, Egypt – Mideast leaders urged President Barack Obama Wednesday to dive into peace efforts and make the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians one of his top priorities.

Some in the region were heartened by Obama's attempt to reach out to Muslims in his inaugural address Tuesday, saying he wanted to put relations on a new path. But he followed that overture immediately with a stern warning to those who foment violence.

"I would like to stress that the region has high hopes that your administration will deal with the Palestinian issue from its first day as an immediate priority and a key for solving other issues in the Middle East," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in a congratulatory message to Obama.

But others were more pessimistic as newspaper editorials and political commentators laid out the challenges facing Obama, from rebuilding the wreckage in Gaza to ending the war in Iraq and confronting a strengthening Taliban in Afghanistan.

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy," Obama said Tuesday.

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," he added.

Iran, which was shunned by the Bush administration, said it was hoping to see new policies from Obama.

The two nations have been deeply at odds over Iran's nuclear program and what the U.S. says is its support for militiamen in neighboring Iraq — a charge Iran denies. Obama has spoken of a need to engage the country.

"We are ready for new approaches by the United States," Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the English-language Press TV, part of Iran's state media.

"A new Middle East is in the making," Mottaki said, according to the official IRNA news agency. "The new generation in this region seeks justice and rejects domination."

Mottaki also said Iran will study the idea of setting up a U.S. interests section office in Tehran if there is a formal U.S. request to do so, after nearly three decades without diplomatic ties.

Obama and his senior commanders were to meet in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama promised during the campaign to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office and said in Tuesday's speech that he would "begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people."

"We feel that we are liberated with Obama's victory," said Ahmed Araak, a 53-year-old retired teacher in Iraq.

Israelis were also watching for Obama's first moves in the Middle East. Israel's military completed a withdrawal from Gaza Wednesday, reflecting its hopes of defusing that crisis before Obama took office. Some Israelis were wary during the campaign that Obama would be less supportive than Bush.

Prominent commentator Nahum Barnea wrote in Israel's Yediot Ahronot daily that one of the first stops in Obama's foreign policy would be Iran, also a pressing issue for Israel, which fears Iran is seeking nuclear weapons.

"If Obama succeeds by diplomatic means in closing down the Iranian nuclear project, more power to him," Barnea wrote. "If he fails, his willingness to act by less diplomatic means will be tested."

A newspaper in U.S. ally Saudi Arabia said the Middle East should not expect Obama to solve every problem.

"Yesterday was a day of hope, a day to dream. Today, the crowds have gone, the flags have come down, but, half a world away, Gaza still smolders, insurgents still plot in Iraq, the Taliban grow stronger in Afghanistan," read an editorial in the English-language Arab News. "It is time for Obama to get down to work, to deliver on the promises he made, the hopes he kindled."

A Jordanian doctor of Palestinian origin said the moment was right for the Middle East to take steps to build better ties with the United States.

"Arabs, both ordinary people and their leaders, should stop their defiance and insults of the U.S.," said Jihad Barghouti.