ANKARA (Agencies)
On his first visit to a Muslim state, United States President Barack Obama declared Monday in Turkey that his country was not at war with Islam and that it wanted to reinvigorate efforts towards creating a Palestinian state.
"The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam,” Obama said, in a major address to the Turkish parliament on the final leg of his tour of Europe, and said a major U.S. Muslim outreach program would be unveiled within months.
Washington is seeking "broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect" with Muslim countries, he said, adding: "We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground."
Obama announced he would unveil in the coming months "specific programs" to enhance education and health care and boost prosperity in Muslim countries by expanding trade and investment.
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Strong push for peace " The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security " US President Obama Obama also voiced support for peace efforts in the Middle East, backing both the Annapolis agreement and the stalled roadmap that laid out the route to Israeli-Palestinian peace.
"Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," he said in a speech to Turkey's parliament.
His remarks came after Israel's new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said last week the 2007 Annapolis document did not bind Israel though he did accept the roadmap as the basis for progress
Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat welcomed Obama's words, saying he had made a major commitment to the two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel was committed to reach peace and would cooperate with the Obama administration to achieve that goal. |
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Warning Iran " Now, Iran's leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon or build a better future for their people " US President Obama Addressing Iran, Turkey's eastern neighbor, Obama warned that the Islamic republic has to make a choice between having a nuclear weapon and building a better future for its people.
"I have made it clear to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic that the United States seeks engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect," he said.
"Now, Iran's leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon or build a better future for their people." |
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Attempted assasination foiled Obama's Tour in Turkey was overshadowed by a plot to assassinate him according to the Saudi newspaper Al Watan and CNN news reports which said a Syrian man who planned to kill Obama was arrested on Friday by Turkish security in the midst of protests.
The man who admitted to having three accomplices to carryout the plan had an Al Jazeera TV press card and had planned to get close to Obama to stab him.
While Obama's Turkey itinerary remained unchanged, journalists covering his trip faced extensive searches by U.S. Secret Service agents. |
