President-elect Barack Obama on Sunday promised to focus on Middle East peace from the start of his administration and to treat Iran with “respect” as he set out his foreign policy thinking in greater detail than before. But, in remarks that may prove disappointing to some of his supporters, he also warned that it would be a “challenge” to close the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay within 100 days of taking office.
In an interview with ABC News, broadcast on Sunday, Mr Obama steered clear of detailed comments on the fighting in the Gaza Strip, although in a response to a question about Israel’s response to missile attacks by Hamas he emphasised the “basic principle” of a country’s obligation to protect its citizens.
