Biden reaffirms U.S. commitment to Saudi defense, calls for diplomacy in Yemen and urges the release of rights activists.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke for the first time since he became president alongside King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Thursday as the U.S. prepares to publish a report on the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
Biden stressed the U.S. commitment to assuring Saudi Arabia’s security from Iranian threats and considered renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen, the White House said in a statement released with the communications office.
Biden and the Saudi monarch addressed “the long-standing partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia” and “the U.S. commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its region while resisting attacks from terrorist groups”. is connected to Iran ”, said the White House reading of the call.
“The President noted positively the recent release of several Saudi-American activists and Ms Loujain al-Hathloul from arrest, and reaffirmed the importance of the US role on human rights. universalism and the rule of law, “the White House said.
Al-Hathloul, a prominent activist who had advocated for the right of women to drive in Saudi Arabia, was released from Saudi prison on February 10 after nearly three years behind bars.
In Riyadh, “The Keeper of the Two Holy Mosques and the President of the United States emphasized the depth of friendship between the two countries, and the importance of strengthening the partnership between them to advance their interests. achieve service and security and stability in the sector and in the world, ”Saudi Media Group said in a statement.
The new Biden administration has taken a stronger stance toward Riyadh than the previous Trump administration, pushing for an end to the civil war in Yemen and greater recognition of human rights in the kingdom.
“Our administration is aiming to rebalance the relationship,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday before the call.
“Certainly, there are areas where we will raise concerns and leave the choice of accountability,” Psaki said.
“There are also areas where we can continue to work with Saudi Arabia on the risks they face in the region,” she said.
Biden officials are about to release to the public a verified intelligence report from U.S. intelligence agencies on the October 2018 murder of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
The report, which requires Congress, appears to formally acknowledge for the first time U.S. intelligence showed that Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi-hit squad working at the command of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Biden announced on Feb. 4 that it would suspend U.S. military support for a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen blaming on targeting civilians and causing a humanitarian crisis.
He named U.S. diplomat Timothy Lenderking as special ambassador for the Yemen conflict and pointed out that his administration would reject Trump’s designation of the Houthis linked to Iran as a terrorist organization.
Biden has also temporarily frozen the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates and firearms are carefully directed to Saudi Arabia pending a review.
In Thursday’s call with the Saudi king, Biden pledged “work to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible”, the White House said.