US President Joe Biden landed on Friday in Saudi Arabia and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), stamped his retraction campaign We pledge to turn the kingdom into a pariah over Human rights violations.
Saudi state media Pictures showed of Air Force One at the airport in the coast city of Grandmother after a trip from Israel, making Biden first The leader of the United States of aviation directly From a Jewish state to an Arab nation that does not recognize it.
In 2017, his predecessor Donald Trump, made the trip in reflects.
Biden, wearing Sunglasses, popping from Air Force One to walk down A purple carpet is greeted by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Governor of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province, and Princess Rima bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington.
Subsequently, state television Al-Ekhbariya showed Prince Mohammed, the de facto leader of the kingdom, saluting Biden with I bumped into a fist and escorted him to Al Salam Palace in Jeddah.
Biden met Saudi King Salman, 86, then sat down with Mohammed bin Salman on the other side one Another on a large conference table for A “work sessionalong with senior officials.
after speaking office last yearthe Biden administration released US intelligence findings that Mohammed bin Salman “approved” an operation targeting journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was horrific killing in The Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul broke out global anger.
Saudi officials deny the involvement of Prince Mohammed and say Khashoggi death It resulted from an “evil” operation. But she became young the crown prince reputation as a potential fixer.
It now appears that Biden is ready to re-engage with country that was key strategic ally of United State for major supplier contracts of Oil and buyer of American weapons.
Washington wants the world’s largest exporter of Raw to open the gates to bring her down Gasoline price hike threatens Democrats’ chances in November midterm elections.
After the meeting, Biden told reporters in a news Conference that raised murder of Khashoggi in the beginning of meet him with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
I said very clearly, for American president to shut up on a issue of Human rights are inconsistent with who we and who Biden said, “I am, and I will always stand up for rate us.”
US intelligence believes that the crown prince most likely agreed to killing of Khashoggi is a writer based in the United States four years ago. for him murder looming over Biden’s efforts to restore relations with Kingdom Saudi Arabia.
Biden also announced That the US peacekeepers will leave the Red Sea Island of Teran at the end of The yearpart of An agreement was reached during what he called “A good series of meetings” in grandmother.
Israeli relations
American officials are also Promote efforts to promote integration between Israel and the Arab countries.
Saudi Arabia has refused join The US-brokered Abraham Accords under which Israel normalized relations with The neighbors of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, in 2020.
Riyadh has repeatedly said that it will stick to the decades-old position of the Arab League of does not establish official links with Israel until the conflict with Palestine is settled.
But it shows signs of Greater openness to Israel announced On Friday, flight restrictions were lifted on Aircraft that fly to and from Israel, a move He praised Biden as “historic”.
Interim Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid praised decision as ‘just first stepTowards strengthening relationships with Arab countries.
On Saturday, Biden is scheduled to meet Arab leaders from six- A member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, to discuss the volatile oil prices and Washington prices role in The region.
grandmother represents final Stop on Biden’s Middle East tour after talks on Friday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his meetings with Israeli officials the day before.
With Israel preventing Palestine from practicing political activity in Jerusalem, the US President traveled to Bethlehem in Occupied West Bank to meet Abbas.
Standing by his side, Biden reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution to end the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
There must be a Palestinian political horizon people can actually see,” Biden said.
“I know that goal of It seems that the two countries are very far.” added.
Abbas said he “takes stepsTo improve relationships with Washington aims to meet the US Consulate in Palestine in East Jerusalem – which Trump shut down – is reopening.
With the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations since 2014, the US delegation has been focusing on economic measures.
Biden made clear on Thursday did not have plans To reverse the controversial move by Trump by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which angered the Palestinians as East Jerusalem is seen as the headquarters of a future Palestine.
‘justice for Shereen
Biden is welcomed in Bethlehem with A plaque reading “Justice” for Sherine “referring to Sherine Abu Okla veteran Shooting of a Palestinian-American journalist dead by the Israeli forces in May while covering an Israeli raid in Western Bank.
The family He asked to meet Biden during his visit, but his administration did so instead Invite them to Washington.
“I think if President Biden could find a watch and a half to go and attend a sports activity, is should respected family “I gave them 10 minutes to listen to them,” said Samer Al-Singlawi, chairman of the board. of Palestinian non-profit foundation, Jerusalem Development Fund, after Biden on Thursday attended a ceremony for Jewish athletes.
Biden, speaking alongside Abbas, said the United States “will continue to insist.” on a full and transparent accounting. of Abu Aqla death.
Washington concluded earlier this month that it was likely hit by Israeli bullets military Attitude, but there was no evidence of intention kill.
