Egypt Praises Obama As Welcome Change From Bush

CAIRO — Egypt's president praised President Barack Obama on Wednesday, saying his outreach to the Muslim world is a welcome change from the policies of his predecessor.

President Hosni Mubarak's comments were his first since Obama delivered a speech last week in Cairo aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world that were strained under former President George W. Bush.

"In the previous administration, there was a feeling that Islam is a group of terrorists, Islam is hated and a Muslim should be watched over," said Mubarak in an interview with Egyptian television in the southern city of Aswan.

Obama "sympathizes and says Islam is a heavenly religion like other religions," he said.

The relationship between Egypt and the U.S. during Bush's time in office was often strained because of the administration's push for democracy in the region. Obama stressed the benefits of democracy in his speech but said it could not be imposed by any one nation.

Obama also pushed for Israelis and Palestinians to work toward a peace deal based on a two-state solution, an effort Mubarak urged everyone in the region to support.

"Obama understands the issue and will do his best," said Mubarak. "We must help him and the Israelis must help too."

Obama has pushed Israel to commit to the creation of a Palestinian state and stop settlement construction in the West Bank, taking what many have described as a harder line than his predecessors. But Israel's new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has refused to agree to either demand.

"President Obama is someone who differs from the other presidents of the United States," said Mubarak.

Comments

[jsgaetano]

It's funny, because it's true.

[gakabani]

Let us be clear here, a Palestinian state is a dangerous element among those Arab totalitarian regimes and also fascist Israel. Can you imaging a true democratic Arab state among fascist Israel and totalitarian Arab regimes like Saudi, Jordan, Egypt, etc...... and more etc.......­.....

This why Israel and the Saudis play it cool with each other. Both know that a Palestinian state is a dangerous thing to have around.

Democracy anyone? for them is not in my backyard!

The US does not care for democracies (maybe BO does). it is dangerous to have demos in the ME, we need to control oil supplies as a means of sufficiency, that simple.

[yasmeen]

so your SUV comes before my freedom, democracy and human rights, unbelievable?!

[jsgaetano]

Yeah, how dare those people live for all those centuries on top of OUR oil.

[MissingAmerica]

As do we all. Biggest obstacle to efforts anywhere seems to be an aversion to peace. The war mentality has been fueled for the last 8 years and it will take a while for these people to give peace a chance. many are still resisting such a change (like North Korea). We need to each work for peace and give Obama props for being intent on making this happen.

[S1m0n]

Bush's administration pushed for democracy in the region was less than skin deep. Anytime democracy adversely impacted something the White House wanted--as, when the Palestinians were so gauche as to elect Hamas--then 'democracy' went out the window and Bush encouraged Mahmoud Abbas to launch a coup against the newly elected government.

[vinainor]

And that's exactly that the kind of self-serving hypocrisy that the United States was perceived as representing, not only throughout the Muslim world but throughout the world, especially in the last 8 years with Bush in power. Obama finally shows that he can actually take on a less ethnocentric perspective and of course he gets criticized by the right for being anti-American. To the right, being "American" means being ethnocentric, self-serving, and condescending to the rest of the world. Obama's stance is in such stark contrast to the republican perspective of how a President should behave and that is why Mubarak's no brainer observations and comments are newsworthy.

[Macready]

Thank you President Mubarack . . . we all have to support Obama . . . the future depends on working for peace in the Middle East . . . for far too long America and the West have supported a rogue state . . . at the expense of the Palestinian people . . .

Please can I ask you to please ask the mayor of Luxor to stop tearing down old Luxor . . . I love Luxor . . . it is my second home . . . I don't want to see it become too homogenised for the tourists . . .

Shukran

[HowietheScreamer]

Actually the Future is making the Mid East irrelevant. Getting off oil will reduce the significance of the ME to that of say Equatorial Africa. Who cares status.

[poaster]

We said that 40 yrs ago. It will take decades to realize energy independence less dependence ME oil. Are moving in the right direction? Yes. But the competition for the remaining oil will be fierce with China and India's thirst beginning to take root. If the economy returns to health. Watch the oil prices soar to $200 barrel.

[mamacat]

Duh, of course he's better than Bush. Talk about stating the obvious.

[smchp]

"where is the change?"

my impersonation of a tr0ll

[ThatOne4Me]

lol

[KMan1]

Hey, that was pretty good!

[XME]

Perhaps one day Repubs will understand what Obama does very well: that terrorists feel MUCH more theatened by words than by weapons. This alone was why, for the first time in my 39 years, I not only voted, but also volunteered for a candidate. We desperately need a president to represent us who undestands the power in what we say.

[SadButWiser]

I always have doubts over any Third World leader admired by the US administration, and vice versa.

[XME]

True. On the other hand, they hated Bush, so they have SOME credibility regarding their judgement.

[Doomestic]

Mubarek hated Bush? That is the silliest statement I have heard yet. Forget the article. Mubarak loved Bush. In fact he feels more threatened by Obama than he ever was of Bush.

[SadButWiser]

Mubarak was proud of being the first Arab leader to have lunch more than twice with President Bush.

[MsIrisMG]

I wish President Obama could have met President Sadat. Two very regal men who probably would have had a lot to say to each other.

[roshni]

My thoughts exactly. Two statesmen with a world vision. Sadat is mourned deeply.

[reggieb]

Indeed.

[SteadyOn]

My fantasy dinner guests always were: Jesus, Anwar Sadat and Walt Disney.

[NoSillyName]

I agree completely!!

[karela]

The American President has made a beginning and anyone who pays attention should know that there will be much to follow. He seems to be quite wise about the timing of when and what to say and do. He promised that speech two years ago, but he didn't give it until the timing was ripe. Already the world sees America in a much better light than it did last fall. I look forward to the changes that will come over the next seven and a half years in our country and in the world.

[roshni]

i only hope this has an effect in the Iranian elections to rid them of Ahmadinejad.

[oregonbird]

And we'll be glad the media pretty much ignored his foray into awkward late-night non-comedy.

[jordanispalestine]

That was TUNNELS!!

[jordanispalestine]

So when will the Egyptians close the tunne;s that allow Hamas to smuggle in weapons to Gaza as a sign to Obama that they appreciate what he's all about???

[Altruth]

I guess when Israel stop building settlements and stop threatening the US and President Obama!

[Altruth]

When Israel stop building settlements and when Israel stop making threat to the US and Presideent Obama.

See what was printed in an Israeli newspaper about America and President Obama:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371046569&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/09/israeli-sanctions-on-us-p_n_213294.html

[treetracker]

Peled better be careful what he wishes for - pushing his agenda might cost Israel the billions of dollars we send them each year. And Israel certainly better not try injecting themselves into our elections. They have enough influence now. Time for them to grow up and, as the GOP are fond of saying, take personal responsibility and take care of themselves, if they want to try this tactic.

[mcantwell]

Good article. It seems I am starting to spend more time in the World section these days.

[NoSillyName]

Me, too.

[GunneraGirl]

me too! it's wonderfully easy to get a lot of international stories at once. and these photos of the irani campaigns are just beautiful really. so well done. evocative.