Barack Obama: Mid-East change may take 'years'

US President Barack Obama says a "new chapter in American diplomacy" has been turned after the Arab Spring uprisings.

In a speech at the State Department, Mr Obama said the future of the US was bound to the Middle East by forces of economics, security, history and fate.

Mr Obama said the top US priority across North Africa and the Middle East was to oppose the use of violence and oppression, and promote reform. But he said patience was needed.