The American newspaper “New York Times” revealed on Thursday that President Joe Biden decided to travel to Saudi Arabia this June.
This is to rebuild relations with the oil-rich kingdom at a time when it seeks to reduce gas prices at home and isolate Russia abroad.
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The newspaper quoted officials – who requested anonymity because the flight has not been officially announced.
They said that Biden decided to visit Riyadh “as part of a pre-scheduled trip to Europe and Israel.”
They explained that during his visit to Riyadh, Biden will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
As well as leaders of other Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the UAE.
And in recent months, the Biden administration has already strengthened its cooperation with Riyadh on a variety of issues.
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Particularly in seeking to end the eight-year Saudi-led war in neighboring Yemen.
These developments come at a time when the strategic interests of the United States in the field of oil and security have prompted a rethinking of the “hardline” stance that Biden pledged to take toward Saudi Arabia during his election campaign.
Earlier in the day, the US president praised the role of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Jordan in “facilitating the achievement of the armistice” in Yemen.
This came after the announcement by the UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, that the parties to the conflict in the country agreed to extend the armistice for an additional two months.
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And that was hours before the end of the truce that began on April 2, last.
Yesterday, the American “ABC” network quoted informed sources in the White House as saying that Biden’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia will be part of a “wider visit” that includes the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
As of Thursday evening (21:40 GMT), there was no official announcement from the US or Saudi side about the dates of the expected visit.
