‘Pariah’ no longer? Praise for Saudi royals ahead of expected Joe Biden trip
- In a rare step, the White House recognised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman for their role in extending a ceasefire in Yemen
- Relations are strained over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but the US president is also seeking ways to lower petrol prices at home
The White House took the rare step of recognising the role played by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in extending a ceasefire in Yemen on Thursday ahead of what is expected to be a trip to Riyadh by President Joe Biden.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that bin Salman and Saudi King Salman deserved credit for their roles in the truce extension announced earlier in the day.
“This truce would not be possible without the cooperative diplomacy from across the region. We specifically recognise the leadership of King Salman and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia in helping consolidate the truce,” she said.
As recently as Wednesday the White House said Biden still felt bin Salman was a “pariah” for what US intelligence says was his role in the killing and dismembering of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018.
Sources familiar with the process say Biden is planning a trip to Saudi Arabia in conjunction with a trip to Europe and Israel in late June.
The visit would be aimed at bolstering relations with Saudi Arabia at a time when Biden is trying to find ways to lower high petrol prices in the United States.
