In a statement Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Thursday's summit coincides with a “humanitarian cease-fire” in Yemen, where a Saudi-US-led coalition is waging an aggression on Yemen. He said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is also interior minister, would lead the Saudi delegation and the king's son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defense minister, will also attend.
Obama had planned to meet Salman one-on-one a day before the gathering of leaders at the presidential retreat but the White House did not take his decision to skip the summit as a sign of any substantial disagreement with the U.S.
Bahrain said separately Sunday that its delegation would be headed by the country's crown prince, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Bahrain, whose leadership has close ties to the Saudis, is an important military ally of the U.S. It is the longstanding host to the Navy's 5th Fleet, which is responsible for operations around the Arabian Peninsula and northern Indian Ocean.
The sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, is also among those staying away. The sultanate will be represented instead by the deputy prime minister, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, and other officials, the country's official news agency announced.
Health issues are also expected to keep the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, from attending.
almanar.com.lb
11/5/15
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Saudi king's US absence signals discontent with Iran policy...
ReplyDeleteDiscontent with American policy toward Iran is behind the last-minute pullout by Saudi King Salman from a summit with US President Barack Obama this week, analysts said.
Obama invited Salman along with five other Gulf rulers to the White House on Wednesday followed by a retreat the following day at Camp David.
He hopes to shore up wavering trust while Washington tries to reach a deal to curb the nuclear programme of Shiite Iran, the regional rival to Sunni-dominated Gulf monarchies.
Only the leaders of Kuwait and Qatar will now likely attend the summit, indicating "a lack of consideration, a disagreement and a lack of respect for President Barack Obama," said Abdelkhaleq Abdallah, an analyst from the United Arab Emirates.
Abdallah said "the differences of opinion seem profound" over Iran, which the Gulf states see as a source of regional instability that would increase after the signing of a proposed nuclear accord.
The White House hopes the talks will ease the Gulf's deep unease over negotiations with Iran, and Obama's perceived disengagement from the region........AFP......dailystar.com.lb
11/5/15
Saudi Arabia did not raise any concerns about the agenda for an upcoming regional summit hosted by President Barack Obama at Camp David before or after the Saudi king changed plans and decided not to attend, the White House said on Monday...
ReplyDeleteWhite House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States was confident that the Saudi officials who were coming would be able to represent their country and implement any decisions made during the meetings.
Earnest also said Obama had not spoken to Saudi Arabia's King Salman, but was likely to have an opportunity to do so before the summit.
Reuters
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