In a speech at a university in Egypt, Barack Obama has called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims".

US President Barack Obama waves before he delivering a speech in the Grand Hall of Cairo University in Cairo June 4, 2009. [CCTV/Agencies]

He said, together, they can confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East.

Obama's much anticipated speech covered a wide range of issues that he said America and the Muslim world should deal with together.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another and to seek common ground. As the holy Quran tells us; be conscious of God and speak always the truth."

On the Middle East peace conflict, Obama said Israelis and Palestinians must find a way to live side by side, peacefully as two independent states.

Barack Obama, US President, said, " But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth. The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states were Israelis and Palestinians each lived in peace and security."

On Iran he said the US was prepared to "move forward."

Barack Obama, US President, said, "Rather than remained trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against but rather what future it wants to build. "

The White House said Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East.

But the build-up to the speech was enormous, stoked by the White House, although Obama seemed at pains to minimize hopes for immediate consequences.

Obama's speech came after his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.

(CCTV June 5, 2009)