Tuesday,Apr 7 2009, 07:30:28 AMUS to push strongly for a Palestinian state: Oba..

ANKARA (Agencies)

On his first visit to a Muslim state, United States President Barack Obama declared Monday in Turkey that his country was not at war with Islam and that it wanted to reinvigorate efforts towards creating a Palestinian state.

"The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam,” Obama said, in a major address to the Turkish parliament on the final leg of his tour of Europe, and said a major U.S. Muslim outreach program would be unveiled within months.

Washington is seeking "broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect" with Muslim countries, he said, adding: "We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground."

Obama announced he would unveil in the coming months "specific programs" to enhance education and health care and boost prosperity in Muslim countries by expanding trade and investment.

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