Post date: Nov 04, 2013 3:4:18 PM
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Saudi King Abdullah during a mission to the the Gulf kingdom to soothe strains in the relationship over U.S. policy on Iran, Syria and the Palestinian issue.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (NOVEMBER 4, 2013) (RESTRICTED POOL) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Saudi King Abdullah on Monday (November 4) as he visited the Gulf kingdom on a mission to soothe strains in the relationship over U.S. policy on Iran, Syria and the Palestinian issue.
Kerry, touring the region after a flurry of signals from the kingdom that it dislikes Washington's recent approach sat for talks with King Abdullah after meeting foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Washington's relationship with the Saudis was crucial as the region faced changes and challenges from the transition in Egypt to civil war in Syria.
Saudi Arabia, Washington's main Arab ally, is angry over what is sees as a weak foreign policy on the part of theObama administration which has allowed Israel to continue building settlements in the Palestinian territories and conflict to persist in Syria.
Saudi concerns are also partly founded on a fear that President Barack Obama's moves to reduce tensions with Iran will give Riyadh's main regional adversary an opportunity to extend its influence in Arab countries.
Speaking before his meeting with the foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Kerry reiterated that the United States was determined Iran would not get a nuclear weapon. Iran says it is enriching uranium only for civilian energy purposes.
Kerry's visit is his first since the Saudi intelligence chief warned last month of a "shift away" from Washington and said Riyadh's abdication of its seat on the U.N. Security Council was a message for the United States.