Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for US leadership on climate change during a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Jakarta on Thursday. Clinton was in Indonesia to strengthen US relations with Southeast Asia and the Muslim world before heading to South Korea to discuss the North's military threat. Yudhoyono and Clinton discussed economic cooperation, Palestine, and efforts to reach a new global agreement on climate change during their meeting at the presidential palace. A presidential spokesman emphasized the importance of US leadership in achieving a global consensus on climate change. During a pre-recorded TV interview on a local youth music show, Clinton confirmed her attendance at a conference on rebuilding Gaza in Cairo on March 2 in response to questions about the new administration's efforts to improve relationships with the Islamic world. She emphasized that shortly after taking office as secretary of state, President Obama and herself stated that the United States would become more involved in assisting the Middle East. Estimates suggest that the damage in Hamas-controlled Gaza, following Israel's offensive that resulted in the deaths of 1,300 Palestinians, amounts to nearly $2 billion. Clinton's visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, underscores President Barack Obama's goal of strengthening U.S. ties with the Muslim world, particularly in light of the unpopularity of many policies from the previous administration led by George W. Bush, such as the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. While most Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam, there is a minority of radicals who have expressed opposition to Clinton's trip through small protests. Indonesia is the location of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations headquarters and has the largest economy in Southeast Asia. Discussions between Clinton and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda have also touched on the financial crisis, with Jakarta considering U.S. assistance through a currency swap agreement and potential contingency funding. Indonesia is already in talks to extend currency swap agreements with Japan, China, and South Korea. President Yudhoyono, who is running for reelection, aims to highlight Indonesia's stability and transition to democracy since the resignation of former President Suharto in 1998. Clinton, like previous Bush Administration officials, emphasized Indonesia as an example of the coexistence of modernity and Islam, especially given its significance as the country where Obama spent part of his childhood. During her appearance on the "Dahsyat" music show, Clinton received applause when she mentioned her appreciation for classical music as well as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Before heading to South Korea, she was scheduled to visit a USAID sanitation project in Jakarta. North Korea has been making threats to destroy South Korea, with Pyongyang rumored to be preparing for a missile launch to gain US attention and pressure Seoul to soften its stance. Clinton has expressed that this missile launch would not improve relations. After visiting South Korea, Clinton will travel to China as the final destination on her Asian tour, which also included Japan. This trip marks her first international visit since assuming office in the United States.