Abbas wins Obama's support

Washington: US President Barack Obama plunged straight into the Middle East conflict on his first day in office calling the Palestinian President and the Israeli Prime Minister on Wednesday after the last Israeli soldier withdrew from Gaza.

Obama assured Mahmoud Abbas that he intended "to work with him as partners to establish a durable peace in the region," the Palestinian leader's spokesman said.

"Obama reiterated that he and his administration will work in full partnership with Abbas to achieve peace in the region," Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator in peace talks with Israel, said.

The new US leader told Abbas that the Palestinian president was the first foreign leader he called since taking office.

Israel said Obama and Olmert discussed the situation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Israel completed its pullout during the morning yesterday, the fourth day of a ceasefire that ended the blitz on Gaza, leaving more than 1,300 Palestinians dead and a trail of devastation.

The flurry of phone calls came amid reports that Obama will move quickly to name a Middle East envoy and is strongly considering former Senator George Mitchell for the job.

The naming of the veteran international troubleshooter to the role would signal that Obama was serious about carrying out his campaign pledge to engage early in his administration on the Middle East issue, analysts said.

Best known for peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland, Mitchell, 75, also has experience in the Middle East. "This is a tremendous signal of [Obama's] desire to nail down once and for all a Palestinian-Israeli peace," said Gregory Orfalea, who teaches Arab-American history at Georgetown University.

If he gets the job, Mitchell's first challenge would be dealing with the crisis in Gaza, where Israeli troops are withdrawing after a 22-day offensive.

Obama and his secretary of state-designate Hillary Clinton had vowed to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict immediately after taking office. During his inauguration speech Tuesday, Obama also pledged a new approach to the Muslim world saying "we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect".

Even as Obama mounted his diplomatic push, his administration began circulating a draft executive order that calls for closing the US detention center at Guantanamo Bay within a year.

The judge in the 9/11 war crimes case at Guantanamo agreed to the US President's request to suspend the case pending a 120-day review. The judge, Army Colonel Stephen Henley, issued the ruling on Wednesday after a brief hearing at the US base in Cuba.

Do you think the weight of history is going to prevent Obama from fulfilling his role as President? What is the kind of Presidency you expect from Obama after hearing his inaugural speech?

Your comments

Whoever comes as USA President, they will not favour separate Palestine country. They will always support Jews. Anyway let?s see. Because now everyone expects a lot of things from Mr. Obama. Especially World Muslims. So we should wait.
Sadiq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 20:20

Let see all his moment in good way
MG
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 20:03

I would only say that he should also speak to Hamas. Who won the election with majority and are the elected representatives of Palestinian people. After all it is US who champions the cause of democracy. Therefore, they should also accept the democratic opinion of the majority of Palestinian people.
Shiyam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 19:58

It is not matured to give opinion now. Only after completion of at least one year, anyone can comment on his performance. One proverb is that New broom will sweep well.
P. M. Shajahan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 19:17

I think Mr. Obama will place his name in the History as one of Best leader ever led America.
Azeem Assadi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 19:17

President Obama is better qualified to tackle the issues of Middle East than any previous world leader. He is a product of a multi-racial, multi-cultural background. He is of incredible intellect and diplomacy. He has devoted his life to the betterment of society. The basis of the issues are long lived in the Middle East; they demand a mediator of incredible understanding and sincerity. He may not be able to solve all the problems, but he will certainly make a huge difference to the region. We are all filled with incredible hope and pride over here.
Biffo
Lexington,USA
Posted: January 22, 2009, 18:35

I don't think Obama can do a lot. He has witnessed the very barbarics war on Gaza's civilians by the Israeli army, but he preferred to keep silent, because he knows what could happen to him from the zionist lobbies inside USA politics depth. maybe he wishes to achieve something, but my view of current situation in the world says, that will not be an easy job.
MAA
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 18:31

Its the same attitude with different person. Talking to unelected, unrepresented Abbas and ignoring democratically elected Hamas is a serious mistake. All the rhetoric in the mall just 2 days back is forgotten already.
Mahmoud
Toronto,Canada
Posted: January 22, 2009, 18:31

We look forward to President Obama to handle the Iran issue, with sincere cooperation and mutual respect, which was clearly the buzz word of president inaugural speech. Iran a great country will react positively, if approached sensibly with genuine understanding.
J.S.CHADHA
Teheran,Iran
Posted: January 22, 2009, 18:21

Let us all hope for the best and give him the chance to prove his worth. After all, to effect positive change, it must begin from us by being optimistic and doing our part. It is once again time to ask ourselves "What we can do to uplift the lives of others" not what others can do for us...
Wheng
Sharjah,Philippines
Posted: January 22, 2009, 18:17

At last after a long wait, the United States of America has began its true revolution, i believe in history
Ahmed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 17:15

He seems to be a perfect leader needed by the First Country. This change seems like a shiny sun?s rays after a heavy sand storm for everyone.
Ruhi Abdulrahman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 11:42

If Obama could change the US approach towards Israel, the Middle East settlement will be possible. Wait and see
Ashraf Khan
Trivandrum,India
Posted: January 22, 2009, 11:27

The responsibility of the job that he has undertaken far outweighs the weight of History. Obama, if he is as sensible as he looks, probably knows that he has no time to waste and needs to get going to bring to fruition what he promised during his campaign...CHANGE.
Mary Ann
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 10:57

I would only say that he should also speak to Hamas who won the election with majority and are the elected representatives of Palestinian people. After all it is US who champions the cause of democracy. Therefore, they should also accept the democratic opinion of the majority of Palestinian people.
Hassan
Ajman,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 10:52

The first day of the US President in the Office and they take a very good decision for Gaza. We will hope decisions are similarly taken on all issues in the world.
Mohammad Noor Al Deen
Gulbarga,India
Posted: January 22, 2009, 10:37

All I can say is, "Mubarak Obama Hussain" finally reached the wrong place at the wrong time.
Manzoor
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 10:28

Mr. Barack Hussain Obama is a great person and he is the president who can understand the world?s feelings. So, I?m very sure that the coming decade will stand for world peace.
Siddique P P
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:58

Yes I think President Obama is choosing the right path to save this world by plunging straight into the case of the Middle East. Actually, it should have been done long ago but as they say, it is never too late to start something. My hearty wishes to him for success to keep the Middle East quiet and calm.
Dil Bahadur Gurung
Kathmandu,Nepal
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:48

I would expect Mr.Obama has to become a role model for the new world to handle present situation independently.
Vijay Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:28

President Obama will become an efficient leader. The unity of purpose is the most important factor not only for the Americans but all the people on earth. Everyone of us has a role and with common purpose in order to achieve his vision.
Harold Remoto
Manila,Philippines
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:17

It appears from his inaugural speech Obama seriously and genuinely wants to bring the much needed (positive) change the whole world desperately seeks. I have great expectations from him. Recession and Middle East crisis are the biggest challenges now for him to deal with.
Abid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:15

This is a positive move forward that shows America's new perspective on Middle Eastern affairs. For the first time it seems like the USA is actually re-shaping it's policy towards Palestine and the Israeli aggression.Arab American
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:13

No ?the weight of history? won?t avert him, I believe he can manage and his determination for total change is rational. I expect all his pledge coming true.
Voner
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:09

I think he will be doing a tremendous role as a President in USA, especially for Middle East peace and all.
Abdul Jaleel
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 09:00

I disagree that the weight of history will effect Obama in performing his duties as President of America; he is capable of turning the history and start a new era of love, cooperation and mutual respect among all countries in world.
Joyveer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 08:42

The inauguration of Obama has created history, the impact on every individual right from day one is great. His words are sound, let's believe his vision too. He should be really great, let him create history, this will be the best opportunity for any one in his position, let him plan to lead the world. This is the great plan needed to be plotted, to be the great.
Nishad
Mysore,India
Posted: January 22, 2009, 08:34

I would say Obama has passed the weight of history by becoming the first Black President of US, taking his first step for getting peace in Gaza. I have a very strong feeling that this man will make history in all the moves he takes. They are calculated. The only point is for him to have a very strong back bone support - God Bless him.
Joe Erasmus Bengers
Mumbai,India
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:53

This is really good, and I think he will do everything that he said. Because you know everybody can read the face of good people. His face is one of a well-educated and decent person. So, we can trust him.
Mohammad Amanullah Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:40

I believe that pulling out from Gaza is another political move from Western world to take Middle East into confidence that new President is on their side. Until Israel pay back for all the mess they have created in Palestine and also Israel must be punished for killing 1300 people!
Adnan Ansari
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:33

At the end it is always a talk!
H A
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:06

Let us be optimistic with this change in US presidency. Let us keep high hopes that Obama will definitely fill the gaps left behind by his predecessor. However we must not expect the damages to be repaired in a single day.
Syed Qaisar Mehdi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:06

Nothing is going to prevent Obama from being an efficient and popular President. No "weight of history" is going to prevent him and the American people from doing what is right for the country and the world! He will be very tough, yet just, because times are tough, too, and because Former President Bush?s administration ruined the reputation of America, which Obama will restore soon! Good Luck, President Obama!
Chetan P. Tanna
San Diego,USA
Posted: January 22, 2009, 07:02

A speech is a speech. A politician will remain a politician. What we need from him is a direct action, restore a long lasting peace initiative in the Middle East.
Claude L. Go
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 22, 2009, 06:42

Well the environment of Obama's presidency seems to indicate that we would come up with a good results of the entire world and we are hoping that he is going to fulfil all the requirements of the nation.
Khan
Chicago,USA
Posted: January 22, 2009, 06:10