KSA: Biden to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-July – Gulf Digital News

KSA: Biden to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-July – Gulf Digital News

WASHINGTON: Joe Biden will make his first trip as US president to Saudi Arabia from July 15-16 at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the kingdom’s Royal Court has announced.

The president is scheduled to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Biden’s trip to the Middle East from July 13-16 will also include stops in Israel and the West Bank, the White House announced.

The president’s visit will reinforce Washington’s ‘iron-clad commitment’ to Israel’s security and prosperity and attend a GCC Summit, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The GCC summit will also include Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan.

While in the region, the US president will meet with more than a dozen regional leaders to advance US security, economic, and diplomatic interests.

His first stop will be in Israel before visiting the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Following his stops in Israel and the West Bank, the president will take a rare direct flight from Israel to Jeddah.

“The President appreciates King Salman’s leadership and his invitation. He looks forward to this important visit to Saudi Arabia, which has been a strategic partner of the US for nearly eight decades,” Jean-Pierre said.

The US president will take the chance to