US President Joe Biden poses with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordanian King Abdullah II for a family photo in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 16 July.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Updated 1346 GMT (2146 HKT) 16 July 2022
US President Joe Biden poses with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordanian King Abdullah II for a family photo in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, 16 July.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
President Joe Biden wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East, his first visit to the region since taking over the Oval Office.
On Saturday, Biden sought to reinforce US leadership in the Middle East as he met with key leaders in the region, pledging that his administration would remain engaged amid concerns that China and Russia would quickly fill the leadership vacuum.
Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday. He was welcomed to the Al Salam Royal Palace by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the two exchanged fists before holding meetings. Biden also met with Saudi King Salman.
Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia has drawn criticism, given that US intelligence considers the crown prince responsible for ordering the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Biden defended his trip, saying it was critical to the security of the United States.
In a late-night speech on Friday, Biden said he raised the issue of Khashoggi’s killing while meeting with the crown prince, who has denied involvement in the journalist’s death.
“I brought it up at the beginning of the meeting, making clear what I thought of him then and what I think of him now. I was frank and direct in discussing it. I made my point crystal clear,” Biden said. “I said very directly that for an American president to be silent on the issue of human rights is at odds with who we are and who I am.” I will always stand up for our values.”
Biden began his trip on Wednesday in Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Herzog awarded Biden the Presidential Medal of Honor for his support of Israel throughout his career.
On Friday, Biden met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Biden had a series of engagements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and several funding announcements aimed at helping the Palestinians.
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