by Muhammad Yamany, Xinhua writer Chen Gongzheng
CAIRO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama is to deliver a landmark speech at Cairo University on Thursday, in his latest attempt to improve the tarnished image of the United States in the Arab and Muslim World and so as to start a new chapter of partnership between U.S. and the Muslim World.
Obama's visit to the Egyptian capital of Cairo, hit headlines on Tuesday in most of Egypt's local newspapers, which all welcomed warmly the upcoming long-waited visit.
The official al-Ahram newspaper wrote that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will discuss with his U.S. counterpart Obama the latest developments in the Middle East on Thursday.
The report quoted the Minister of Legal and Parliamentary affairs Mufeed Mahmoud Shehab as saying that Obama's visit is a turning point in the relations between the United States and Arab and Muslim World.
Shehab said that Obama decided to deliver his speech in Cairo because of Egypt's pioneering role in the Arab and Muslim World, adding that this choice expresses the U.S. understanding of Egypt's civilization and history.
Al-Ahram outlined in its lead the itinerary of Obama' visit to Egypt. Obama will have tete-a-tete talks with Mubarak on his arrival then the two leaders would be joined by delegations of the two countries. Official ceremonies will be held at Kubbeh Palace and later Obama will give a speech to the Muslim World at Cairo University before 2,500 political and religious figures and representatives from all segments of the Egyptian people.
Before leaving Cairo at 18:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) Obama will visit archaeological sites in the Pyramids area and Sultan Hassan Mosque.
Meanwhile, local daily newspaper Almasry Alyoum wrote in its editorial under the headline "Obama's coming, Cairo in bronze" that the area of Citadel, which includes Salah Al-Din Square and the area around Sultan Hassan witnessed unprecedented large scale beautification process. Workers also painted lampposts along Tharwt, Gamaa and Nahda streets in bronze.
It added that Palms and decorative plants were put, while piles of garbage have been removed from around the area, as news has come in that the U.S. president would visit the area of the Citadel.
The newspaper cited Zahi Hawas, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, as saying that Obama would visit the pyramids after his speech at Cairo University.
Hawas said that as a part of his 80-minute tour on foot, Obama would enter the Pyramid of Cheops and visit the nearby Sphinx.
While al-Akhbar local newspaper wrote under the headline "official and public welcoming for U.S. President Barack Obama" that Egypt's government is looking forward to a new page in the relations between U.S. and the Muslim World.
Al-Akhbar cited the U.S. ambassador to Egypt Margret Scobey as saying, that Obama's visit to Egypt is historic moment in the Egyptian-U.S. ties.
Scobey hailed Obama's visit to Egypt, saying that the distinguished friendly ties between Egypt and the United States have significantly developed over the past three decades.
She said that Obama's speech aims to improve U.S. relations with Muslim World, adding that Obama will affirm that there is no contradiction between American values and the Muslim World.
The new administration led by Obama is trying to get closer to Muslim world and attempts have been made to express a common approach towards the Muslim world.
Earlier in April, Obama said in Ankara that his country "is not and will never be at war with Islam," which is lauded by Cairo as the "first and significant" step for easing the tensions between the United States and the Muslim world.
Obama is also set to make a trip to Riyadh on Wednesday for talks with the Saudi king on the Middle East peace process, Iran's nuclear program and anti-terrorism.
