The Palestinians hope that US President Barack Obama will emphasize his calls on Israel to stop settlement activities in the West Bank and commit to the creation of the long-awaited Palestinian statehood during his visit to the Arab world.

The Palestinians were relatively optimistic about the new US administration as they awaited Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo on Thursday.

However, most of the ordinary people, political factions and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) said they wanted deeds rather than words.

Obama arrived in Cairo Thursday morning and will deliver a speech later Thursday.

"We are attentively waiting to see Obama's plan to make peace in the region," said Suliman Obaid, a Palestinian public employee." We heard positive comments from Obama but the judgement is subjected to acts."

"The Palestinians believe in peace but the other side (Israel) does not," he added, referring to Israel's opposition to stop expanding the settlement in the Palestinian territories.

For Ibraheem Nassman, a university student, Obama was a man of peace who needed "a united Arab lobbying to push him carry out his promises into action."

"I think Obama can oblige Israel and its rightist government to abide by peace," added the 20-year-old student as he watched live shots of Air Force One landing in Cairo airport.

But Hammed, 47, a taxi driver, said the American governments share similar position "when things come to the red-lined Israel's security and interests."

On Wednesday, the PNA welcomed Obama's approach towards the Israeli settlement in the West Bank and called him to back his comments with actions.

Also on Wednesday, the Islamic Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, said they want "more developed stances" from Obama.

Moreover, a Hamas government adviser urged Obama to visit Gaza which borders Egypt.

When Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2005, the United States led an international campaign to isolate the Islamic movement due to its charter which is based on destroying Israel.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2009)