Obama tells U.N.: U.S. will ‘always stand up’ for freedom around the world

[Gerald]

President Barack Obama arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport September 24, 2012 in New York, N.Y. View more photos from the campaign trail.

NEW YORK — President Obama urged world leaders Tuesday to condemn the recent deadly attacks against U.S. diplomats and missions in Libya and Egypt, suggesting that now is a key moment in the struggle for democratic freedom in the Muslim world.

Speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, Obama told his audience that “it is the obligation of all leaders, in all countries, to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism.” He also made clear that the United States would “do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

“It is time to marginalize those who — even when not resorting to violence — use hatred of America, or the West, or Israel as a central principle of politics,” Obama said in the fourth such address of his presidency. “For that only gives cover, and sometimes makes excuses, for those who resort to violence.”

Obama used his address to defend the U.S. role in the Middle East and North Africa to an extent he has not done before, calling for help from those diplomats gathered in ensuring that the unpredictable political transition underway ends in democratic government and economic opportunity. He cited the violent war for Syria, the Palestinian national movement and other regional struggles to reaffirm American support for those seeking freedom.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...3bf_story.html

Note: Tuesday, September 25, 5:21 PM