in VOA Special English.President Obama discussedthe political unrestin the Middle Eastand North Africain a speech Thursdayin Washington.BARACK OBAMA: "We support politicaland economic reformin the Middle East and North Africathat can meet the legitimateaspirations of ordinary peoplethroughout the region.Our support for these principlesis not a secondary interest.Today I want to make it clearthat it is a top prioritythat must be translated intoconcrete actions and supportedby all of the diplomatic,economic and strategic toolsat our disposal."The president announced new aidto help democracy effortsin Egypt and Tunisia.The leaders of both countrieswere overthrown earlier this year.And Mister Obama strongly condemnedSyria's president, Bashar al-Assad.BARACK OBAMA: "President Assadnow has a choice: he can leadthat transition, or get out of the way.The Syrian government must stopshooting demonstratorsand allow peaceful protests.It must release political prisonersand stop unjust arrests.It must allow human rights monitorsto have access to cities like Dara'a,and start a serious dialogueto advance a democratic transition."Mr. Obama linked the protestsin the Arab worldto unmet economic needs.BARACK OBAMA: "After all,politics alone has notput protesters into the streets.The tipping point for so many peopleis the more constant concernof putting food on the tableand providing for a family.Too many in the region wake upwith few expectations other thanmaking it through the day,and perhaps the hope thattheir luck will change."The president also said he disagreeswith people who arguethat moving forwardon a Middle East peace planis not possible nowbecause of all the change taking place.In his words, "the drivefor a lasting peace that endsthe conflict and resolvesall claims is more urgent than ever."Mr. Obama gave his supportto a major Palestinian demand.He said the borders of Israeland a future Palestine shouldbe based on lines that existedbefore the nineteen sixty-sevenMiddle East war.Israel captured areas includingthe West Bank, East Jerusalemand the Gaza Stripduring the Six-Day Warwith Egypt, Jordan and Syria.Mr. Obama saidthere should be conditionsthat would involve land exchangesbetween Israel and the Palestinians.BARACK OBAMA: "The United Statesbelieves that negotiationsshould result in two states,with permanent Palestinian borderswith Israel, Jordan and Egypt,and permanent Israeli borderswith Palestine.We believe the borders of Israeland Palestine should be basedon the nineteen sixty-seven lineswith mutually agreed swaps,so that secure and recognized bordersare established for both states."On Friday, President Obama metwith Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu at the White House.Mr. Netanyahu said he valuesMr. Obama's efforts and that Israelis willing to make"generous compromises for peace."But he said Israel cannot go backto the nineteen sixty-seven lines.Those lines, he said, are "indefensible."He says an Israeli withdrawalfrom some of the areas gainedduring the Six-Day Warwould leave major Jewish settlementsin the West Bank outside of Israel.Hanna Siniora is a memberof the Palestine National Councilfrom East Jerusalem.He praised Mr. Obama for talkingin detail about borders, sayingit was an important pointfor the Palestinians.HANNA SINIORA: "We heardall American administrationstalk about unshakeable securityfor Israel.We are not against securityfor Israel, but we are askingat the same time for security for the Palestinians,and this can only happenif the border betweenthe two states is defined."And that's IN THE NEWSin VOA Special English.