Obama-Salman summit aims to affirm strategic partnership

The summit between US President Barack Obama and visiting Saudi King Salman bin Abdelaziz will kick off at the White House on Friday.

Political observers in Washington said the talks would reiterate the strength of US-Saudi strategic partnership which lasted for seven decades.

Obama will assure Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries about the continued commitment of the US towards its allies in the Middle East, especially following the signing of an agreement by world powers and Iran on the Iranian nuclear program.

US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes earlier told reporters "we understand that they have concerns about what Iran could do as their economy may perhaps improve along with sanctions relief".

"We're focused on very concrete capabilities that can enhance our Gulf partners, including Saudi Arabia, in working together and with us to push back against those Iranian activities that concern us," Rhodes added.

Part of the Obama-Salman meeting would focus on issues of naval and space security, defense and elite forces' capabilities, and boosting intelligence cooperation, according to Rhodes.

The US-Saudi summit is expected to go over the war in Yemen, the situation in Syria and Iraq, the developments in the Middle East and terrorism-combat efforts.

The summit coincides with an economic forum, organized by the Saudi-US business council. In a statement, the council considered the forum as an opportunity for government officials of Saudi Arabia and the US to discuss available business and investment opportunities in a number of sectors, including petrochemicals, health care, education, training, finance services and industrial development.
Source: MENA