The Latest: Biden: US troops to leave strategic Saudi island
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — President Joe Biden said he raised the “outrageous” murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his meeting on Friday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who U.S. intelligence officials say ordered his killing.
Biden said he couldn’t guarantee that MBS or other elements of the Saudi state wouldn’t murder dissidents again, but pledged a strong response.JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — President Joe Biden is announcing that peacekeepers will depart the Red Sea island of Tiran by the end of the year, in the latest sign that Saudi Arabia and Israel are inching toward normalization.
Biden says Saudi Arabia is also pledging to work to “extend and strengthen” the U.N.-mediated truce in Yemen, which has put a years-long civil war that caused one of the globe’s worst humanitarian crises on pause. The kingdom will also provide over $1 billion in new development assistance to Yemen. U.S. intelligence agencies have said they believe the crown prince, known familiarly by his initials, MBS, gave the order that resulted in the brutal killing and dismemberment of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was a columnist for the paper.
Biden vowed as a Democratic presidential candidate to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” for its human rights record, particularly the murder of the writer Jamal Khashoggi. But now he is seeking to reaffirm Washington’s longstanding partnership with Riyadh as he confronts challenges caused by rising energy prices and Iran’s nuclear program.
He added: “If we ever needed a visual reminder of the continuing grip oil-rich autocrats have on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, we got it today.” Biden and MBS, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, were set for a formal sitdown later on Friday, where Biden has pledged to bring up human rights. White House officials would not say whether Biden would also bring up Khashoggi’s case in particular.JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — President Joe Biden emerged from Air Force One on Friday, minutes after landing in Saudi Arabia and walked along a lavender carpet past a sword-bearing honor cordon.
Air Force One landed in Jeddah ahead of planned meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of the kingdom. U.S. intelligence officials have determined the crown prince, often referred to by his initials, MBS, likely ordered the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One during the flight to Saudi Arabia on Friday not to “expect a particular announcement here bilaterally.” Prices of Brent crude have hovered around $100 a barrel. Although Saudi Arabia is producing around 10.5 million barrels per day currently, the kingdom and the United Arab Emirates are seen as two countries with spare capacity that can pump more to help bring down prices. It’s unclear though how quickly the kingdom could ramp up production.
Biden, a devout Roman Catholic, stopped by the church Friday after meeting with Palestinian leaders in the ancient West Bank city. He shook hands with local officials before entering the historic basilica, held sacred by Christians of all denominations. The U.S. State Department concluded earlier this month that Abu Akleh was likely killed by Israeli fire as she reported on a military raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The report said it found no reason to suggest her killing was intentional.
The comments were likely to disappoint the Palestinians, who are looking to the U.S. to press Israel into restarting peace talks. The last substantive talks collapsed over a decade ago. “We have made relentless efforts and played a key role in safeguarding peace, promoting development, and bringing a fair and equitable resolution on hotspot issues in the region,” Wang added. “China is ready to work with the international community to continue to play a positive role in realizing peace and development in the Middle East.”
In the West Bank, Biden is expected to announce some $200 million in additional assistance to the Palestinians, after pledging $100 million to hospitals that serve Palestinians in east Jerusalem earlier Friday. U.S. experts who inspected the bullet recently determined that Israeli fire likely killed her. But without providing evidence, they said there was no reason to believe the shooting was intentional. The findings have infuriated the Palestinians, including Abu Akleh’s family. The black T-shirts worn by journalists in Bethlehem, saying “Justice for Shireen,” were meant as a sign of solidarity with their slain colleague.
Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized internationally and views the entire city as its capital. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, and its fate is at the heart of the century-old conflict.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senate Republicans blast Biden administration over latest inflation rate spikeRepublican senators on Wednesday blasted the Biden administration for rising inflation after a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a 9.1% spike for the 12 months ending in June, the highest level in four decades.
Read more »
The Latest: Honor guard for Biden on Saudi arrival, no kingPresident Joe Biden has emerged from Air Force One, minutes after landing in Saudi Arabia , to walk along a lavender carpet past a sword-bearing honor cordon
Read more »
Laura Ingraham: It's constant humiliation for President BidenLaura Ingraham discusses President Biden's tenure at the White House and how the administration is an embarrassment for the United States on 'The Ingraham Angle.'
Read more »
Opinion: President Biden sent a disappointing message to military victims of terrorFollowing the rushed withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden was presented with the opportunity to do the right thing.
Read more »
President Joe Biden, Mohammed bin Salman to meet FridayWhether Joe Biden’s first trip to the Middle East as president ends a success or a failure may hinge on what happens when the American leader first locks eyes with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
Read more »
US President Biden in Saudi Arabia in last leg of Middle East tourSaudi state media showed images of Air Force One at the airport in Jeddah after a flight from Israel, making Joe Biden the first US leader to fly directly from there to an Arab nation that does not recognise it.
Read more »