Biden defends Saudi Arabia trip that aims to reset ties | Joe Biden

Joe Biden on Saturday defended his decision to vacation to Saudi Arabia saying human rights would be on his agenda as he gave a preview of a journey on which he aims to reset ties with the crown prince, who he previously denounced as a pariah.

The American president will keep bilateral talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his leadership staff, together with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his pay a visit to to the Center East next week.

Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, was believed to be powering the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist and political opponent Jamal Khashoggi, in accordance to the US intelligence group.

In a commentary released in the Washington Submit late Saturday, Biden mentioned his goal was to reorient and not rupture relations with a state that has been a strategic spouse of the US for 80 a long time.

“I know that there are quite a few who disagree with my decision to journey to Saudi Arabia,” Biden wrote. “My sights on human rights are clear and longstanding, and fundamental freedoms are often on the agenda when I travel abroad.”

Biden requires oil-wealthy Saudi Arabia’s assistance at a time of large gasoline selling prices and as he encourages initiatives to stop the war in Yemen right after the Saudis recently prolonged a ceasefire there. The United States also would like to curb Iran’s impact in the Middle East and China’s international sway.

Biden argued that Saudi Arabia had not long ago assisted to restore unity among the the 6 international locations of the Gulf Cooperation Council, experienced absolutely supported the truce in Yemen and was performing to stabilize oil markets with other OPEC producers.

Biden explained he will be the 1st president to fly from Israel to Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, upcoming 7 days, which he claimed would be a smaller symbol of “budding relations and measures toward normalization” involving Israel and the Arab planet.

“I will be the initially president to pay a visit to the Center East since 9/11 devoid of US troops engaged in a overcome mission there,” Biden mentioned. “It’s my purpose to retain it that way.”