Romney delivers foreign policy speech, focuses on Mid-east

LEXINGTON, Virginia (AP) - Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney says the risk of conflict in the Middle East has grown under President Barack Obama's leadership.

He is calling for a "change of course" in the region, in a speech on Monday laying out his foreign policy platform ahead of the November 6 election.

Mr Romney assailed Mr Obama's foreign policy in the speech at the Virginia Military Institute here. He had focused on the economy for much of the campaign is now seizing on foreign policy to help paint Mr Obama as a weak leader who has limited America's influence on global affairs.

Romney is calling for the U.S. to take a more assertive role in Syria. He also wants new conditions on aid to Egypt and would impose tighter sanctions on Iran.