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Cairo Excited About Obama Speech


Many ways to follow speech

U.S. President Barack Obama's much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world was delivered in a packed auditorium at Cairo University.

Greeted by cheers and applause, Mr. Obama spoke to the thousands in attendance, and the millions of others expected to hear the speech around the world. The White House is posting the speech on popular Internet sites YouTube, Facebook and MySpace, as well as on Twitter accounts.

Guests were invited by the U.S. embassy, the White House and the Egyptian government.

Was Muslim Brotherhood invited?

Journalists asked White House official Denis McDonough about media reports that members of the banned Egyptian opposition group the Muslim Brotherhood were invited. The official did not say either way, but noted that the White House wanted to make sure the president had an opportunity to speak to the "full range of political representation in Egypt" and the Muslim world.

Excitement ahead of visit

There was excitement in Cairo ahead of the visit, with the public university and the area undertaking a major clean-up that included fresh paint, newly planted flowers and spruced up landscaping.

Security, as it is for any presidential visit, was extremely tight, with streets closed, a security perimeter set up, and many police patrolling the area.

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