The US, Obama said, will join with its allies to

eradicate extreme poverty in the next two decades: by connecting more people to the global economy and empowering women; by giving young and brightest minds new opportunities to serve and helping communities to feed, power, and educate themselves. "Above all, America must remain a beacon to all who seek freedom during this period of historic change. I saw the power of hope last year in Rangoon � when Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed an American President into the home where she had been imprisoned for years; when thousands of Burmese lined the streets, waving American flags, including a man who said, 'There is justice and law in the United States. I want our country to be like that'," he said. In defence of freedom, the US will remain the anchor of strong alliances from the Americas to Africa; from Europe to Asia, he said. "In the Middle East, we will stand with citizens as they demand their universal rights, and support stable transitions to democracy. The process will be messy, and we cannot presume to dictate the course of change in countries like Egypt; but we can � and will � insist on respect for the fundamental rights of all people," he said. "We will keep the pressure on a Syrian regime that has murdered its own people, and support opposition leaders that respect the rights of every Syrian. And we will stand steadfast with Israel in pursuit of security and a lasting peace. These are the messages I will deliver when I travel to the Middle East next month," said Obama, who would be travelling to the region next month.