Muslims credit Obama for new tone

By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent

BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama won praise from many Muslim leaders Thursday for a speech crafted to repair America's tainted image in the Islamic world, but more sceptical reactions showed he still has a mountain to climb.

His call for a "new beginning" with the Muslim world based on mutual interest and respect struck a chord with many who heard the speech the U.S. leader delivered at Cairo University.

But some said they had heard nothing new regarding specific policies, especially on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that symbolises injustice for many Muslims around the world.

"America for the first time is adopting a very wise strategy in acknowledging the other and that was clear in every word chosen by President Obama," said Randa Achmawi, diplomatic editor for Egypt's Al-Ahram Hebdo.

Saudi political analyst Khalid al-Dakhil said Obama's message was one of "reconciliation and new beginnings" that would be well received in the Arab world. "Whether it will be successful in bridging the gap, that will take time."

Islamic radicals reacted in hostile fashion.

"The Islamic world does not need moral or political sermons," said Hassan Fadlallah, a lawmaker from Lebanon's Iranian-backed Shi'ite Hezbollah group.

"It needs a fundamental change in American policy beginning with a halt to complete support for Israeli aggression against the region, especially against Lebanese and Palestinians, an American withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, and a stop to its interference in the affairs of Islamic countries.