As President Barack Obama begins his maiden sojourn to Middle East, the White House has said American leader's much anticipated Cairo speech is part of his objective to reset the relationship between the US and the Muslim world.
Obama's landmark speech at a Cairo University intends to address the Muslim world and is said to be the most significant part of his four nation trip.
It's an ongoing process that started with Obama's first television interview as the US President to a news channel from the Muslim world, Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in White House before they left Washington for Riyadh, the first stop of their four-nation Middle East and European sojourn.
After becoming the US President, Obama had promised to address the Muslim world, which he said was important to change the relationship between the US and Middle East.
"I think if you look at efforts that the administration has undertaken thus far, in terms of outreach, whether it's in interviews, whether it's speeches, the speech in Turkey, this is about resetting our relationship with the Muslim world. I think it will take a sustained effort, and that's what the President's in for," Gibbs said.
When Obama was asked about his Cairo speech at a White House function by reporters, he said, "We'll find out in Cairo."
When insisted upon by reporters to divulge some contents of the speech, Gibbs said, "The president sees this as a series of events, not something that may or may not be easily quantifiable at any given -- or after the end of one speech."
Obama will talk about a series of things that are important throughout the Muslim world, he said.
Gibbs said the White House is taking steps to make sure that his speech reaches out to the people across the world.
"Our goal is to ensure that the greatest number of people with an interest to see this, not just on -- not just through newspapers and television, but can see this through Websites. I think it will be broadcast," he said.
"I am pretty sure it will be broadcast on our Website. The Internet team here is working with a host of others to get this information to as many platforms as humanly possible, so that people will get a chance all over the world to see what the president has to say," Gibbs said.
"I think what is important is that we demonstrate that the US wants to pursue a different relationship and ensure that Muslims around the world understand the message of the United States, that we share common hopes and dreams, and that we can work together to fulfill those hopes and dreams, understanding that there are -- separating that from extremism and extremists that wish to do us harm," he said.
Referring to Obama's remarks, he said, "We have more in common than we have disagreement about and I think that's what he wants to ensure that the vast majority of the Muslim world hears."
