Millions attended Obama's inauguration in Washington DC [GALLO/GETTY]

As part of Al Jazeera's coverage of Barack Obama's inauguration as 44th president of the United States, we asked bloggers from both sides of the political divide in the US and from the Middle East to give their messages to the new president.

We also asked them what they thought should be Obama's first priority once he enters the White House.

Calderon, an Israeli blogger who writes at NivCalderon.com, says he hopes Obama is successful in bringing change.

He says his number one concern is the issue of Iran, which is developing a nuclear programme it says is for peaceful purposes but which others say is a cover for developing nuclear weapons.

Alsaafin, who contributes to the Kabobfest blog, says much of Obama's statements on the conflict makes him believe the new US president offers only "more of the same".

Obama should use the opportunity of his first term to end the Israeli occupation and condemn the "savage massacre" in the Gaza Strip, Mohammad says.

Peace in the Middle East would greatly enhance both Obama's stature and also that of the US, he argues.

Dimi Reider, a freelance journalist and activist from Tel Aviv, asks Obama to begin judging Israel by the same standards that other countries are judged.

He says this is particularly relevant when it comes to international humanitarian law.

Reider also says he believes this is what will really "help" Israel, by aspiring to the standards that the "founding fathers" of the nation aspired to. 

Al Jazeera asked two bloggers who write frequently on US politics to give us their thoughts on the inauguration and what Obama's priorities should be.

Thomas Keeley, who writes at the DCRepublican blog, says the challenge for Obama now is to be bipartisan and reach out to Republicans and Democrats after a bruising election campaign.

Chris Stoller, who writes at OpenLeft.com, says that Obama must bring about a "second new deal" for the US's ailing economy in order to bring about change.

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