Obama to outline broad strategy for Middle East, aides say

May 19, 2011, 1:01 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama will outline a broad agenda for the rapidly transforming Middle East that includes supporting democratic and economic reforms when he delivers a key foreign policy speech on Thursday, senior US officials said.

The uprisings that swept through the region and toppled long standing rulers in Egypt and Tunisia were 'deeply rooted' in political and economic stagnation, and Obama will lay out his vision for breaking that mold and helping to foment prosperity, one official said.

Senior administration officials briefed reporters on background about the speech, which Obama is to deliver at the State Department at 1540 GMT, on the condition of anonymity. The officials said part of Obama's plan will be to back a 2-billion dollar international initiative to provide financial assistance and debt relief to Egypt and Tunisia. The US also plans to assist with providing assistance with modernizing economic policies.

Obama earlier this week provided a glimpse into his priorities in the region since the demonstrations emerged in what has become known as the Arab Spring. During a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah on Tuesday, Obama said Arab leaders must enact sufficient reforms to create jobs and prosperity for younger generations.

'So much of what's taking place has to do with the aspirations of young people throughout the Arab world for their ability to determine their own fate, to get an education, to get a job, to be able to support a family,' Obama said. 'And that means some of the old structures that were inhibiting their ability to progress have to be reworked.'

The speech will cover a wide range of issues in the Middle East, including his desire to revive the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations. With all of the change in the region, Obama said the need for a peace settlement is 'more vital than ever.'

Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and is expected to address a key pro-Israel lobbying group at a conference on Sunday.

Obama has been planning his speech on US policy in the Middle East for weeks. It would be his second major address on the Mideast since his Muslim outreach speech in Cairo in June 2009.

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