Biden's Middle East visit latest: US president departs Saudi Arabia following GCC+3 summit

US president met with Arab leaders on the final day of his Middle East trip

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US President Joe Biden has departed Saudi Arabia, concluding his four-day Middle East trip.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Biden attended the GCC+3 summit of Arab leaders in Jeddah, and in his speech to the summit promised that the US "would not walk away" from the Middle East.

"The United States is going to remain an engaged partner in the Middle East. We will not walk away and leave a vacuum filled by China, Russia or Iran," Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden attended the summit after meeting with regional leaders in Saudi Arabia, including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, on the final day of his Middle East tour.

The US president met with President Sheikh Mohamed on Saturday for the first time since Mr Biden took office last year.

On Friday, Mr Biden met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on wide-ranging issues including aviation, energy, Iran, Yemen, human rights, and sovereignty over islands in the Red Sea.

In an interview with The National on Saturday, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir said the two leaders established “good chemistry” and added that “everything is moving the way it's supposed to.”

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Updated: July 16, 2022, 4:19 PM