US president-elect Barack Obama Tuesday vowed to speak out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once he takes office, but insisted until then only President George W. Bush speaks for the US.
"After January 20 I am going to have plenty to say about the issue and I am not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign, that ... at the beginning of our administration, we are going to engage effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflict that existed in the Middle East," he told reporters.
"Until then, my job is to monitor the situation, put together the best possible national security team so that we hit the ground running once we are responsible for national security issues," said the incoming president.
Obama has been criticized for not speaking out more forcefully amid the Israeli military assault on the Gaza Strip now into its 11th day.
