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Barack Obama: New chapter in American diplomacy Barack Obama presses for Middle East reform
(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, and to support transitions to democracy," he said."It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy," he said.
Analysts say the speech is 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 said the top US priority across North Africa and the Middle East was to promote reform, and oppose the use of violence and oppression.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.
"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."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.
"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."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.
The US president also defended new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Key points in Mr Obama's speech:
  • In the months ahead the US must use all its resources to encourage reform in North Africa and the Middle East
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  • Will cut $1bn of debt for a democratic Egypt and work to create Enterprise Funds to invest in Tunisia and Egypt
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  • Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must lead a political transition or get out of the way
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  • US will continue to insist the Iranian people deserve their universal rights, and a government that does not smother their aspirations
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  • Mass arrests and brute force in Bahrain are at odds with the universal rights of Bahrain's citizens.
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  • The borders of Israel and a Palestinian state should be based on pre-1967 borders with agreed swaps
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"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. On the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Mr Obama said it was "up to the Israelis and Palestinians to take action".
He announced aid packages to Egypt and Tunisia - countries that are embracing democratic reforms. "No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away," Mr Obama said.
He also touched on the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. "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."
"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. President Obama said the borders of Israel and a Palestinian state should be based on pre-1967 borders, referring to those that existed before the Six-Day War - which includes the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
"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. Correspondents say the apparent change of emphasis is set to anger Israel, which has previously said that endorsing the 1967 borders would prejudge peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, an Israeli government committee on Thursday approved the construction of more than 1,500 settler homes in East Jerusalem.
Mr Obama is set to meet visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.
'Carrot and stick''Carrot and stick'
President Obama delivered the long-awaited speech at the state department in Washington. President Obama delivered the long-awaited speech at the state department in Washington, which he described as "a fitting venue to mark a new chapter in American diplomacy".
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.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.
"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. "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.
"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." "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."
Unprecedented changeUnprecedented change
Egypt and Tunisia - where popular revolts overthrew long-standing rulers - also figured largely in the address. 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.
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. To his wider audience, Mr Obama wants to underline that Washington stands behind those seeking greater human rights.
Mr Obama's address comes during a time when the Middle East is undergoing unprecedented change.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.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.Similar uprisings are also taking hold in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria.
On Wednesday, the White House imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.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".
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.
Mr Obama is set 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.
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.
This is because Washington's reaction has varied wildly from place to place - from military action against Libya to a ticking off for Bahrain.