Why Obama Gave First Interview To Al Arabiya

WOLF BLITZER. CNN ANCHOR: And joining us now, the man who conducted that interview with the president of the United States, Hisham Melhem. He’s the Washington bureau chief of Al Arabiya, and also a good old friend.

Hisham, congratulations on getting this.

HISHAM MELHEM, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, Al ARABIYA: Thank you.

BLITZER: How did you get the first sitting television interview with the new president of the United States?

MELHEM: I guess sheer luck and dogged work.