WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House says the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world is “in need of substantial improvement.”

President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver a speech on that relationship in Cairo on Thursday. He has said he plans to discuss the United States’ outreach to Muslims around the world and contributions of Muslims in the United States.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says the president believes improving the relationship will take more than one speech. He says the president’s visit to Turkey in April, as well as his meeting this week with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, are all part of his efforts to reach out to the Muslim world.

AP-ES-05-29-09 1515EDT