A crucial meeting to repair diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia began with a fist bump on Friday as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed President Joe Biden at a royal palace in Jeddah.
The first encounter occurred as Mr. Biden stepped out of his presidential limousine in Jeddah for a visit that is intended to reset their countries’ longstanding ties.
There was little evidence of any warmth between the leaders, and none of the backslapping or smiles that Mr. Biden or the Crown Prince usually display when greeting other leaders.
Mr. Biden had long refused to speak to Prince Mohammed, who is commonly referred to by his initials MBS, the presumed heir to the throne currently held by his father, King Salman. And he harshly criticised the kingdom for its human rights abuses, particularly the murder of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
But those concerns have since been eclipsed by other challenges, including rising gas prices and Iranian aggression in the West Asia. At the same time, Saudi Arabia seeks to bolster its security ties with the U.S..
During his visit to West Bank earlier on Friday, Mr. Biden reiterated his country’s support for ‘two states for two peoples’.
COMMents
SHARE