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Last update - 13:29 01/08/2009
Lebanese cleric: Arab patience with Obama wearing thin
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel News, Barack Obama 

An influential Lebanese Shi'ite cleric said Friday that President Barack Obama's outreach to the Arab and Islamic worlds has failed to improve ties strained under George W. Bush, warning that the United States was sliding back toward the policies of the previous administration.

Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah's criticism in a Friday prayer sermon in the militant Hezbollah stronghold of south Beirut contrasted with his conciliatory tone a few months ago and underlined a growing impatience with Obama.

A frequent critic of Bush, Fadlallah said in an interview with The Associated Press in April that he believes Obama is sincere in trying to improve what the cleric called America's "ugly image" in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
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Fadlallah on Friday urged the Obama administration to change tactics in its attempts to improve ties with the region, warning that anti-American sentiment is rising.

"The U.S. administration is gradually regaining its previous image under the Bush administration by dealing with Iran's nuclear issue in a way that ensures permanent support for the Israeli entity, which pays no heed to all international laws, particularly those related to the acquisition of nuclear weapons," Fadlallah told worshippers.

Since he took office in January, Obama has reached out to Iran in speeches and said his administration is willing to negotiate directly with Iran over its nuclear program, reversing his predecessor's policy of seeking to isolate the country. Obama also has reached out to Syria, which the Bush administration shunned because of its support for militant groups.

Obama has supported a Palestinian state as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for a halt to Jewish settlement activity in the West Bank. He has sent his special Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, to the region several times in a bid to promote a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace settlement.

"We tell the Americans who come to occupied Jerusalem to reassure the (Israeli) enemy ... that within a limited period of time you have almost foiled all the objectives which your president tried to achieve in his calculated speeches to the Arab and Muslim worlds," Fadlallah said.

Fadlallah, 73, is considered the main religious authority for Lebanon's estimated 1.2 million Shiites, the country's largest sect, and has followers throughout the Middle East. He's a former spiritual guide to the Iranian-backed militant Hezbollah group and is still influential with many Shiite militants.
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  1.   Obama can`t undo in months,Bush`s 8yrs failed ME policies 03:47  |  lydia 01/08/09
  2.   Already Worn Thin 04:57  |  George Bell 01/08/09
  3.   Lydia, be careful what you wish for 06:09  |  Brad 01/08/09
  4.   Lydia - Obama Needs to Channel 07:17  |  Mark of Lewiston 01/08/09
  5.   Arabs not wanting to be patient.This is a fanatical Hizbollah 07:46  |  ks 01/08/09
  6.   Obama is doing more than enough 09:18  |  C2 01/08/09
  7.   Obama, it`s been 7 months and you haven`t destroyed Israel yet 10:32  |  McQueen 01/08/09
  8.   ALL TALK, NO ACTION 10:59  |  steve 01/08/09
  9.   Obama and the non-existent rewards of appeasement of terrorism. 11:12  |  Michael J 01/08/09
  10.   Lydia.....What is it in the water in Australia 13:05  |  Ari ben Yisrael 01/08/09
  11.   jerusalem 15:10  |  anas 01/08/09
  12.   Obama must talk tough to Israel NOW 16:21  |  jim the mechanic 01/08/09
  13.   Truth is America is getting fed up with the Arab nonsense 17:13  |  Kipperraes 01/08/09
  14.   Truth is Obama has no real time for ME right now given economy 17:42  |  Kelly Brians 01/08/09
  15.   Obama and his Arab pals 18:28  |  GA 01/08/09
  16.   Where are you, B.S.News? 18:37  |  flyingdoc57 01/08/09
  17.   Same old - America wants the oil, but not pay the bill 18:51  |  Nasrim Khil 01/08/09
  18.   Patient needs Patience 19:05  |  Ori 01/08/09
  19.   Everyone,s patience is running thin---Obama is 19:37  |  Labhras 01/08/09
  20.   Anas #11 00:48  |  Jasper 02/08/09
  21.   Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah serves Iran, not Lebanon. 05:46  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/08/09
  22.   number 2 07:57  |  josh 02/08/09
  23.   Lydia 14:10  |  rich 02/08/09
  24.   LOVE IT Hezballah complaining about rules and Iranian nukes 16:14  |  PETER SM 02/08/09
  25.   Obama`s foot in mouth disease 16:49  |  Lynn 02/08/09
  26.   Arabs spit in Obama`s face 18:16  |  MichaelF 02/08/09
  27.   Incorrect statement 18:19  |  MichaelF 02/08/09
  28.   # 5 and to all the ignorants 23:20  |  Dino 02/08/09
  29.   Americans patience is also wearing more than thin! 23:33  |  petra 02/08/09
  30.   Learning on the Job? Obama fails. 23:40  |  Petra 02/08/09
  31.   Patience, patience 07:44  |  Keith 03/08/09
  32.   I look forward to the day when Obama will open his eyes... 18:27  |  citizen 27/08/09
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