Egyptians welcome Obama's landmark speech

US President Barack Obama's historic speech to the Muslim world calling for a "new beginning" in ties with America evoked a positive response in Egypt with political circles and common people expressing satisfaction over his effort to reach out to them and his reference to Palestinian statehood.

"This is a correct start," head of political office of the major opposition Muslim Brotherhood, Issam al-Iryan, said referring to Obama's criticism of Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank.

"The most important step would be implementation of this vision. Muslims cannot turn a new leaf with US unless there is a just and comprehensive solution for the Palestinian issue," he said.

During his landmark speech at the Egyptian capital on his first visit to the Middle East after assuming Presidency, Obama said, "the US does not accept legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace."

The Egyptian media covered extensively the speech delivered from the Cairo University to the Arab and Muslim world.

The speech was broadcast live and in full by all channels and was followed with analysis and commentaries.