Saudi king to skip US-Gulf summit
Updated: 2015-05-11 10:47
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will not join other leaders of Gulf states for a summit with US President Barack Obama scheduled for next week, the Saudi embassy in Washington DC said Sunday.
The Saudi monarch will instead send Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, for the meeting between the leaders of the United States and other Gulf Cooperation Council member states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the embassy said in a statement posted on its website.
Obama is scheduled to meet with the GCC leaders first at the White House Wednesday and then at Camp David, a presidential retreat in the state of Maryland, the following day.
The summit, which comes amid deep concerns about Washington's ongoing nuclear talks with Iran and Tehran's growing influence in the region, is expected to boost US security commitment to its Gulf partners.
The Saudi king is also sending Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is serving as second deputy prime minister and minister of defense as well, to the summit, the Saudi embassy said, quoting Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir.
Iran and the US, Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, collectively known as the P5+1 group, are racing against the June 30 deadline for a comprehensive agreement on Tehran's disputed nuclear program after negotiating a framework deal in early April.
Related Stories
Houthis, Yemeni army welcome Saudi proposal for 5-day truce 2015-05-10 19:48
Iran nuclear deal must avoid destabilizing region: France, Saudi Arabia 2015-05-05 11:50
Saudi King Salman appoints nephew as new crown prince 2015-04-29 11:01
Saudi-led coalition bombs Yemen despite calling off air campaign 2015-04-23 09:25
US quickens weapons deliveries to Saudi-led Yemen campaign 2015-04-08 21:00
Today's Top News
UK's Cameron on track to return to power as PM - exit poll
China-UK relations likely unaffected by election
Xi aims to boost peace and development with neighbors during trip
Chinese high-speed train model shown in Milan Expo
China-UK relations likely unaffected by election
China 'willing' to seek EU investment treaty
Record number of Chinese seek poll success
Russia's Putin, Germany's Merkel to discuss Ukraine on May 10
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |