Obama starts week with focus on Gulf oil spill, Mideast

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Obama focused on oil spill, Mideast

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama starts the week dealing with two seemingly intractable issues — the Gulf oil spill and the Middle East.

Obama will participate in a daily briefing call Monday with Gulf Coast governors on the BP oil spill before welcoming Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon to the White House. He will consult with the prime minister on ways to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and promote regional security.

In the afternoon, the president will host an East Room reception to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. He will also meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the Oval Office.