Thursday 14 May 2015

Obama opens summit with Persian Gulf officials

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WASHINGTON — President Obama pledged to strengthen U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia as a prelude Wednesday to a summit with six Persian Gulf nations who have criticized the proposed nuclear deal with Iran.
"We are continuing to build that relationship during a very challenging time," Obama said before meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Obama had planned to meet one-on-one with King Salman of Saudi Arabia, but the 79-year-old monarch — as well as other regional leaders — decided to send deputies instead to the summit with the president.
The Oval Office meeting with Saudi officials preceded dinner Wednesday with officials from six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The summit continues Thursday at Camp David.
"The gathering will be an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance our mutual partnership and deepen security cooperation," the White House said in a statement.
The Saudi crown prince conveyed greetings from the king and said Saudi Arabia wants to deepen relations with the United States and improve regional stability.
"Mr. President, you spoke about the situation in the region, and we look forward to, God willing, to working with you to overcome the challenges and to bring about calm and stability in the region," he said.
The two sides said that, in addition to Iran, they planned to discuss the concerted battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, as well as violence in Syria and Yemen.

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