US President launches Mideast mission

RIYADH (AFP/Reuters) - US President Barack Obama launched a Middle East mission on Wednesday to reach out to Muslims with a meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia here.
Obama arrived in Riyadh to a red-carpet welcome and a kiss on both cheeks from Saudi King Abdullah, a key regional power broker.
Obama and King Abdullah held talks at the monarchs sprawling farm outside Riyadh in the Presidents first foray into tricky personal diplomacy in the region, after a flurry of talks with Middle East leaders in Washington.
The President praised the wisdom and graciousness of his host, saying he was confident of progress on a host of issues and he travelled to the birthplace of Islam to seek counsel before his keenly awaited speech to the Muslim world.
I thought it was very important to come to the place where Islam began and to seek His Majestys counsel, Obama said.
This is my first visit to Saudi Arabia, but Ive had several conversations with His Majesty, Obama said.
Ive been struck by his wisdom and his graciousness, Obama said, praising the long friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the regional economic and political powerhouse.
As I take this trip and will be visiting Cairo tomorrow (Thursday) I thought it was very important to come to the place where Islam began and to seek his Majestys counsel, Obama said.
I am confident that working together that the US and Saudi Arabia can make progress on a whole host of issues of mutual interest.
The Saudi King presented Obama with a gold medallion, which he put around his visitors neck and had warm praise for the new US leader, on a key mission designed to address Muslims and reinvigorate Middle East peace talks, and called him a distinguished man who deserves to be in this position.
I also want to express my best wishes to the friendly American people who are represented by a distinguished man who deserves to be in this position, he said.
The talks focused on Middle East peace efforts, energy issues and other regional topics, aides said, adding that Obama and the king broke off into a private session that lasted at least two hours.
On Thursday (today), Obama will travel to Egypt, another pillar of the Arab world, to deliver a personal appeal for reconciliation to the worlds 1.5 billion Muslims, and hold his first talks with President Hosni Mubarak.
Obama signalled in an interview with National Public Radio before leaving Washington that he would not let up on the issue.
Ive said very clearly to the Israelis both privately and publicly that a freeze on settlements including natural growth is part of those obligations.
Obama was also expected to use the talks with King Abdullah, whose country is
I am confident that were in a moment where in Islamic countries, I think theres a recognition that the path of extremism is not actually going to deliver a better life for people, Obama told NBC News before he left Washington.