Fri, January 23, 2009
On his third day as president, Barack Obama underscored his campaign promises of an early engagement in the Middle East crisis.
SOUNDBITE: U.S President Barack Obama, saying, (English):
"America is committed to Israel's security and we will always support Israel's right to defend itself against legitimate threats."
In his first public comments on the Arab-Israeli conflict since taking office, Obama said his administration was committed to seeking a peaceful solution in the region.
SOUNDBITE: U.S President Barack Obama, saying, (English):
"It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors."
Obama's comments come a day after he promised Israeli and Arab leaders he would help consolidate the recently announced ceasefire in Gaza, which was left devastated by a 22-day Israeli offensive against Hamas.
Obama said the outline for a durable ceasefire was clear.
SOUNDBITE: U.S President Barack Obama, saying, (English):
"Hamas must end its rocket fire, Israel will complete the withdrawal of its forces from Gaza. The United States and our partners will support a credible anti-smuggling and interdiction regime so that Hamas cannot rearm".
Obama also named former senator George Mitchell as envoy to the Middle East, in an early attempt to jump start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Pavithra George, Reuters
