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Barack Obama: New chapter in American diplomacy Barack Obama: New chapter in American diplomacy
(40 minutes later)
  
US President Barack Obama says a "new chapter in American diplomacy" has been turned after the Arab Spring uprisings.US President Barack Obama says a "new chapter in American diplomacy" has been turned after the Arab Spring uprisings.
In a speech at the State Department, Mr Obama said the future of the US was bound to the Middle East by forces of economics, security, history and fate.In a speech at the State Department, Mr Obama said the future of the US was bound to the Middle East by forces of economics, security, history and fate.
"It will be the policy of the US to promote reform across the region and to democracy," Mr Obama said. "It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy," he said.
Analysts say the speech was meant as Mr Obama's first comprehensive response to revolts sweeping the Arab world. Analysts say the speech is Mr Obama's first comprehensive response to revolts sweeping the Arab world.
Mr Obama was widely expected to defend new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Mr Obama said the top US priority across North Africa and the Middle East was to promote reform, and oppose the use of violence and oppression.
He was set to announce aid packages to Egypt and Tunisia - countries that are embracing democratic reforms. "We face a historic opportunity. We have a chance to show that America values the dignity of a street vendor in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator," he said.
He was also due to touch on the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. "As Americans have been seared by hostage taking, violent rhetoric, and terrorist attacks that have killed thousands of our citizens - a failure to change our approach [in the Middle East] threatens a deepening spiral of division between the United States and Muslim communities," Mr Obama added.
However, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says that after two years of failing to restart talks, no-one expects Mr Obama to announce a new push for negotiations. The US president also defended new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"President Assad now has a choice - he can lead that transition or get out of the way. The Syrian government must stop shooting demonstrators and allow peaceful protests," Mr Obama said.
He announced aid packages to Egypt and Tunisia - countries that are embracing democratic reforms.
He also touched on the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
"Ultimately, it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to take action. No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away," Mr Obama said.
"But what America and the international community can do is state frankly what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples.
'Carrot and stick''Carrot and stick'
President Obama is delivering the long-awaited speech at the state department in Washington. President Obama delivered the long-awaited speech at the state department in Washington.
Our correspondent says that following the death of al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden, President Obama wants a new start with the Muslim world, although polls show opinions of the US are low. The BBC's Kim Ghattas, in Washington, says that following the death of al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden, President Obama wants a new start with the Muslim world, although polls show opinions of the US are low.
Mr Obama said that Bin Laden, who was killed by special forces this month, was a mass murderer, not a martyr, whose ideas were being rejected even before he was killed.Mr Obama said that Bin Laden, who was killed by special forces this month, was a mass murderer, not a martyr, whose ideas were being rejected even before he was killed.
Some details of the speech were revealed in advance by senior administration officials. "Bin Laden and his murderous vision won some adherents. But even before his death, al Qaeda was losing its struggle for relevance, as the overwhelming majority of people saw that the slaughter of innocents did not answer their cries for a better life," Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama was to stress that Washington stands ready to help nations across the Middle East and North Africa to launch democratic reforms, modernise and provide job opportunities to millions of disenchanted young people. "By the time we found bin Laden, al Qaeda's agenda had come to be seen by the vast majority of the region as a dead end, and the people of the Middle East and North Africa had taken their future into their own hands."
He was to argue that such measures will help democracy take hold and thrive and deliver the regional stability that is in the interests of the US government. Unprecedented change
Egypt and Tunisia - where popular revolts overthrew long-standing rulers - were also due to figure largely in the address. Egypt and Tunisia - where popular revolts overthrew long-standing rulers - also figured largely in the address.
Mr Obama was expected to write off part of Egypt's huge debt to the US to boost job-creation efforts. He was also expected to unveil an economic incentive package aimed at Tunisia.Mr Obama was expected to write off part of Egypt's huge debt to the US to boost job-creation efforts. He was also expected to unveil an economic incentive package aimed at Tunisia.
In sharp contrast, Mr Obama was expected to justify slapping sanctions on Syria's Mr Assad on Wednesday. Mr Obama's address comes during a time when the Middle East is undergoing unprecedented change.
The push for democracy began with the overthrowing of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January. Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak was later toppled in Egypt, with demonstrators in Libya currently working to overthrow dictator Moammar Gaddafi.
Similar uprisings are also taking hold in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria.
On Wednesday, the White House imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
A US state department official said it was time for the Syrian president "to lead a political transition or to leave".A US state department official said it was time for the Syrian president "to lead a political transition or to leave".
It was the first time Washington had personally penalised the Syrian leader over the actions of his security forces. More than 850 people have died since the uprising began in March.It was the first time Washington had personally penalised the Syrian leader over the actions of his security forces. More than 850 people have died since the uprising began in March.
On the faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Mr Obama was expected to warn both sides that they face great risks by not coming together on a peace deal. Mr Obama is set to meet visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.
Mr Obama is to meet visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. Analysts say Mr Obama's speech is an attempt to convince his US audience that the fate of countries in the Middle East and North Africa is worth the money and effort even during difficult economic times at home.
Analysts say Mr Obama's speech will be aimed at convincing his US audience that the fate of countries in the Middle East and North Africa is worth the money and effort even during difficult economic times at home.
To his wider audience, Mr Obama wants to underline that Washington stands behind those seeking greater human rights.To his wider audience, Mr Obama wants to underline that Washington stands behind those seeking greater human rights.
The BBC's North American editor Mark Mardell says Mr Obama faces the challenge of trying to set out a coherent US strategy for the region.The BBC's North American editor Mark Mardell says Mr Obama faces the challenge of trying to set out a coherent US strategy for the region.
This is because Washington's reaction has varied wildly from place to place - from military action against Libya to a ticking off for Bahrain.This is because Washington's reaction has varied wildly from place to place - from military action against Libya to a ticking off for Bahrain.