The inauguration of Barack Obama has sparked high hopes across the world for better days ahead.

Iraqis on the street say they hope Barack Obama will usher in a new and more peaceful phase for Iraq. They want policies that are different from those of George W. Bush.

Ali Abu Mustafa, Baghdad resident, said, "The new US President, Barack Obama has pledged in his presidential victory speech to pull all the American troops out of Iraq responsibly, that is to say a gradual withdrawal. We hope he will be sincere."

Ahmad, Baghdad resident, said, "We hope that Obama will be different from Bush. We hope he will have better security policies and better behavior and actions towards the Iraqi people. Bush's policies were very tough."

But many who welcome Obama's presidency expressed reservations about how much he would actually change US policy in the region.

Those doubts became more pronounced in recent weeks with the devastating Gaza offensive by US ally Israel that killed around 1,300 Palestinians.

Mohamad Skake, Gaza city resident, said, "We have just come out of war and America called for a ceasefire, but Israel won't commit to it."

But Obama still draws a great deal of goodwill from people who feel his multicultural background will allow him to relate to the region better than past US presidents.

Jerusalem resident, said, "Yes, it is a very special moment for me. I have a great deal of hope, hope for the US, hope for the world and hope for Israel."

Peace and a normal life is the desire of people in Iraq and the Gaza Strip. And finding solutions to the Mideast conflicts will be a big test for Barack Obama.

(CCTV January 22, 2009)