Posted in: 16/07/2022 – 14:44Last updated: 16/07/2022 – 14:45
On Saturday, US President Joe Biden renewed his pledge to stand by the allies of the United States in the Middle East and strengthen his country’s presence in the region, especially amid the growing influence of other countries, led by China and Iran. Biden, who arrived in the kingdom on Friday on his first tour of the Middle East since taking office, participated in a summit on Saturday with the leaders of six Gulf countries in addition to Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. Biden played down his meeting with Prince Mohammed, but the interview sparked criticism in the United States over human rights abuses.
He said US President Joe Biden Saturday that the United States will continue to be an active and cooperative partner in the Middle East. Biden added in a speech he delivered during a summit with six Gulf countries, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq in Jeddah that Washington will not withdraw and leave a vacuum that Russia, China or Iran will fill.
“We will not abandon the Middle East, and we will not leave a vacuum that will be filled by China, Russia or Iran,” Biden said in a summit meeting with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt, at the conclusion of a visit to the Middle East.
The US President’s visit to the Middle East comes at a time when the United States needs Saudi Arabia’s help amid high crude oil prices, in addition to other problems related to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and it also comes within the framework of efforts to end the Yemen war. After reaching a temporary truce. Washington also wants to curb Iran’s influence in the region and China’s global influence.
Special coverage of the Jeddah Summit for Security and Development
24:34
FRANCE 24/AFP