US President Barack Obama has told the BBC that the US cannot impose its values on other countries. But, in his first interview with a UK broadcaster, he said the rule of law, democracy and freedoms of speech and religion were "universal values". "These are values that are important, even when it's hard," he said. Speaking ahead of a trip to the Middle East and Europe, Mr Obama said closing the Guantanamo Bay prison was a way that America could set a good example. Mr Obama told BBC North America Editor Justin Webb that he wanted to deliver the message "that democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion ... are not simply principles of the West to be hoisted on these countries". He said there were "obviously" human rights issues to address in some Middle Eastern countries, but there were some "universal principles that they can embrace and affirm as part of their national identity". "The danger, I think, is when the United States, or any country, thinks that we can simply impose these values on another country with a different history and a different culture," he said. Mr Obama is due to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in the first stage of his tour of the Middle East and Europe. He will travel to Egypt on 4 June, where he is set to give a key speech on US ties with the region, before carrying on to Europe to attend D-Day commemoration events. Nuanced message Asked whether he would be encouraging the countries he will visit to adopt such values, Mr Obama said "absolutely we'll be encouraging". But he said that the most important thing for the US was to "serve as a role model". "That's why, for example, closing Guantanamo from my perspective is as difficult as it is important." "Part of what we want to affirm to the world is that these are values that are important even when it's hard, maybe especially when it's hard and not just when it's easy." Mr Obama is facing domestic resistance to his plans to close the Guantanamo detention camp, with critics citing concerns over what would happen to inmates still considered to pose a risk to the US. Justin Webb says the president chose to speak to the BBC now because his team want to reach the parts of the world the BBC reaches - with a message that is nuanced and thoughtful. But Mr Obama is not apologising for the actions of the Bush White House, our correspondent adds. Source: BBC