Karen Hughes and Egyptian PM Ahmed Nazief in Cairo

U.S. public diplomacy chief Karen Hughes meets Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif in Cairo Monday - the second day of a tour aimed at polishing America's image in the Middle East.

Sunday, Ms. Hughes met with the head of Cairo's Al Azhar mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, who is an influential Islamic leader.

Speaking with reporters, Ms. Hughes has acknowledged she faces a "huge challenge" in her efforts to win greater foreign public support for U.S. policies. She said she understands there are many "deep-seated" differences and concerns about American policies.

Ms. Hughes also is traveling this week to Saudi Arabia and Turkey on her first foreign trip as Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy. She calls her trip a "listening tour," to acquaint her with America's image abroad.