CAIRO, Egypt (AP):

Many across the Middle East heralded the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama but expressed reservations about how much he will actually change US policy in a region where anti-American sentiment spiked during the Bush administration.

Those doubts have become more pronounced in recent weeks with the devastating Gaza offensive by US ally Israel, that killed over 1,250 Palestinians.

But Obama still retains a great deal of goodwill in the Middle East from people who feel his multicultural background allows him to relate to the region better than past US presidents.

Overjoyed

Saleh al-Mohaisen, a Saudi who runs a jewellery store, said he was "overjoyed" when Obama was elected and would be following yesterday's inauguration because "it's such an important event."

"I wanted to send him a letter by courier to wish him well and explain how Muslims and Arabs feel," he said. "I felt that he could understand Arab suffering."

Al-Mohaisen said Obama's failure to denounce Israel's Gaza offensive made him more wary of the new leader, but not enough to change his general opinion.

"I love him despite his silence," he said. "I feel we share the same blood."

Obama expressed concern about civilian casualties during the Gaza offensive but largely remained silent, saying there could be only one president speaking for the US on foreign policy issues.

Mixed feelings

Iraqis also expressed mixed feelings, with some saying Obama represents a significant new page in US history and others questioning how much American policy will change in Iraq.

Arab League chief, Amr Moussa, congratulated Obama and urged the new president "to put the Middle East as a key issue on his agenda."

Iran also represents a significant challenge to Obama in the region because of tensions over its nuclear program. The incoming president has said he wants to step up diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, an approach praised by some Iranians on yesterday.