CAIRO | Thu May 19, 2011 11:32pm IST
(Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday invoked the killing of Osama bin Laden as a chance to recast relations with the Middle East and said the top U.S. priority was to promote democratic change.

Below are some reactions to his comments:

EZZEDIN CHOUKRI-FISHERE, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO:

“I think this goes substantially beyond what Obama said in his Cairo speech in 2009, where he merely set the tone for the new administration and talked about general principles of a new American policy towards the Arab world. I think this time he is coming up with a concrete indication of policy on the major issues the Arab world is facing. That is new and, in fact, it is about regaining leadership.”

ESSAM AL-ERIAN, SENIOR MEMBER OF EGYPT’S ISLAMIST MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD:

“A disappointing speech. Nothing new. American strategy remains as is. American cover for dictatorial presidents, in Syria, Yemen, Bahrain remains as is. Perhaps the sharpest tone was towards Libya. American promises are just promises. There is no decisive decision to immediately withdraw from Iraq or Afghanistan. Threatening Iran remains the same.”

AHMED S. ON TWITTER

“I think Obama should not refer to the bullets and gas canisters since they are made in the U.S.”