Obama Pays Short Visit to Saudi Arabia, Meets New King
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SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images(RIYADH, Saudi Arabia) — President Obama has left Saudi Arabia after spending just over four hours on the ground there Tuesday, offering condolences for the death of King Abdullah and meeting with his successor, King Salman.
Cameras got a brief glimpse of Obama and the new king shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries ahead of their bilateral meeting at the ornate Erga Palace on the outskirts of Riyadh.
At one point, the president was overheard exclaiming, “This is beautiful!”
“Now that you’re here, Mr. President, it’s even more beautiful,” the king responded, through a translator.
Later, after introducing their high-powered delegations, the leaders shared a lavish meal consisting of kafta, shish tawook, baked lobster, grilled veal, seafood rice and much more.
The pair was due to talk about the fight against ISIS, the recent unrest in Yemen and nuclear talks with Saudi Arabia’s arch-rival, Iran.
First lady Michelle Obama accompanied the president throughout the visit. Wearing pants and her head uncovered, Mrs. Obama stood beside her husband as he shook hands with the Saudi delegation on the airport tarmac Tuesday morning and again at the palace.
The president and first lady are scheduled to return to U.S. soil on Wednesday.
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