Yes We Can, Mideast Leaders Tell Obama

[tekisui]

AMMAN – Leaders across the Middle East congratulated Barack Obama on his historic election victory as the 44th president of the United States, as many anticipated that his administration would usher in a fresh new policy and approach that would bring peace to a region plunged into great turbulence during the past eight years of the George W. Bush presidency.

Some Arab leaders, who are traditionally allied with Washington, welcomed Obama's victory, just as they were expected to do if Republican candidate John McCain had won.

But on an unofficial level, there was a sense of relief – albeit cautious – that the White House will, for the next four years, host an African-American president whose 22-month campaign showed him as an advocate of peace and dialogue with a will to resolve conflicts.

Obama's words in his victory speech gave a significant push to the optimists who set high hopes that he would look more favorably toward the rest of the world and perhaps Arab causes.

These Obama supporters have in recent months come under criticism by the many skeptical Arab talking heads who believed Obama would not bring change to what they say is a deeply-rooted U.S. Middle East policy leaning toward Israel.

more... http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/11/05/yes_we_can_mideast_leaders_tell_obama/1124/