President Obama addresses both houses of UK parliament

President Obama reasserts the "special relationship" between Britain and the U.S. in an address to the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 25, 2011) UK - U.S. President Barack Obama declared on Wednesday (May 25) American and European leaders must push for democratic reforms in North Africa and the Middle East and overcome suspicions of Western intent in the region.

Obama outlined a manifesto for responding to "Arab Spring" uprisings as he become the first U.S. president to address both houses of the British parliament at historic Westminster Hall, whose ancient walls are steeped in 1,000 years of British history.

"That means investing in the future of those nations who transition to democracy starting with Tunisia and Egypt by deepening ties with trade and commerce by helping them demonstrate the freedom brings prosperity. And that means standing up for universal rights by sanctioning those that use oppression by strengthening civil society by supporting the rights of minorities," Obama said.

In a speech anchoring his four-nation European trip, Obama said it is up to the United States, Britain and their European allies to lead at a time when the world is being tested by economic turmoil, "Arab Spring" revolutions, Islamic militants, climate change and efforts to spread nuclear weapons.

China, Brazil and India are developing, he said, and this should be welcomed because it is lifting millions from poverty around the globe.

"These challenges come at a time when the international order has already been reshaped for the new century. Countries like China, India and Brazil are growing by leaps and bounds. We should welcome this development for it has lifted hundreds of millions from poverty around the globe and created new markets and opportunities for our own nations. And yet as this rapid change has taken place its become fashionable in some quarters to question whether the rise of these nations will accompany the decline of American and European influence around the world. Perhaps, the argument goes, these nations represent the future and time for our leadership has passed."

He rejected that argument.

"That argument is wrong," he said, "The time for our leadership is now It was the U.S. and the UK and our democratic allies which shaped a world in which new nations could emerge and individuals could thrive. And even as more nations take on the responsibilities of global leadership, our alliance will remain indispensable to the goal of a century that's more peaceful more prosperous and more just."

Obama, who is seeking to boost democratic reform movements in North Africa and the Middle East, cautioned that it will take time for the uprisings in a string of nations from Egypt to Syria to play themselves out, revolts that he called a rebuke to the worldview of al Qaeda.

Obama came to Europe weeks after gaining a political boost at home for the mission he ordered that led to the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

"In Afghanistan we have broken the Taliban's momentum and we will soon begin a transition to Afghan lead and nearly 10 years after 9/11 we have disrupted terrorist networks and dealt al Qaeda a huge blow by killing its leader, Osama bin Laden," he said.

Obama's address was greeted with a one minute standing ovation at the Palace of Westminster.