VOA常速英语:Obama in London: 'The Time for Our Leadership Is Now'

短语讲解：

1. President Obama had the honor of speaking before the British Parliament at 900-year-old Westminster Hall.

have the honor of有幸…，荣幸地
例句：May I have the honor of this dance?
我能荣幸地与你跳这场舞吗?

2. Much of their talk concentrated on the upheaval in the Middle East, and specifically the NATO military mission to protect civilians in Libya.

concentrate on将…集中于…, 专心于
例句：Many firms are concentrating on increasing their markets overseas.
许多公司正在集中精力开拓它们的海外市场。

3. Cameron agreed with the president that regime change is not part of the United Nations-authorized mission in Libya, but protecting civilians is impossible as long as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi remains in power.

agree with与某人〔观点〕一致, 同意〔赞同〕某人的意见
例句：In the main, I agree with Edward.
我基本上同意爱德华的意见。
as long as只要, 如果
例句：I'll never forget that as long as I am living.
这事我至死也不会忘记。
in power掌权的，执政的
例句：It is able, therefore, to attract the support of everyone seriously opposed to the party in power. 
它因此能够赢得所有真诚反对执政党者的支持。 

4. Obama said NATO-led forces in Libya are making progress, and Gadhafi is under more pressure to leave.

make progress前进,进步
例句：We must innovate in order to make progress.
我们必须改革以便取得进步。

5. Cameron also expressed support for the president's controversial stand on the Middle East peace process, agreeing that borders for Israel and a Palestinian state should be based on the lines that existed before the 1967 Six Day War, with mutually agreed land swaps.

be based on根据，以…为基础
例句：These charges are based on facts.
这些指控是基于事实。

6. Obama called it a mistake, saying Palestinian sovereignty can only be gained by negotiating with Israel.

negotiate with (就某事)与…进行交涉(以达成协议)
例句：I'll negotiate with their coach on the date of the match.
我将与他们的教练磋商比赛的日期问题。

7. Cameron said he would prefer to discuss the issue with the European Union before making a decision.

prefer to较喜欢; 宁愿
例句：I prefer country life to town life.
我更喜欢乡村生活而不喜欢城市生活。
make a decision决定下来,作出决定;下决心
例句：There is no hurry to make a decision. 
没有必要匆忙作出决定。 

8. Both leaders will return to tackling serious global issues Thursday when they go to the two-day Group of Eight summit in France.

return to回到(某种状态、某个话题等)；恢复到；重新采取
例句：He has returned to his old habits。
他已故态复萌。