Saudi King Salman and President Obama Meet at the White House

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman met with President Obama at the White House on Friday. The monarch on a visit to Washington said his country was willing to collaborate with the United States to ensure stability in the region. King Salman characterized his visit as symbolic of the deep ties between the allies.

President Obama said he and King Salman shared common goals of countering Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and resolving the crisis in Yemen. Obama added he shared the king’s desire for an inclusive government in Yemen that can relieve that impoverished country’s human crisis. Their talks also addressed the Iran nuclear agreement.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States was working with its Arab allies on a ballistic missile defense system, special operations training and large-scale military exercises. Kerry met King Salman ahead of his meeting with President Obama.

Photo credit: Saudi King Salman and President Obama at the Oval Office; Washington, 4 September 2015 (Al Arabiya)

Saudi King Salman in Washington

Saudi King Salman arrived in Washington tonight for a visit with President Obama. The king arrived at Joint Base Andrews in a Maryland suburb of Washington. Wall Street Journal reporter Carole Lee snapped a photo of his epic entourage. (USA Today, 3 September)

On Friday at the White House, King Salman and President Obama will discuss Iran nuclear deal and regional conflicts.

Photo credit: The car fleet for King Salman and his entourage at Joint Base Andrews; 3 September 2015 (Twitter/@carolelee)

Arab Summit Approves Joint rapid Response Military Force - UPDATE

Arab Leaders Adopted Initiative Amid Saudi-led Coalition Attack in Yemen

UPDATE:The Arab summit on Sunday adopted the resolution to form a joint rapid response military command. The force would be used to counter security threats. Historic moment for the Arab World. 

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The Arab foreign ministers meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh before Sunday’s summit of the heads of states of the 22-member Arab League unanimously approved the text of a proposal to establish a joint Arab rapid response military command. The leaders are expected to adopt the proposal on Sunday.

“This is the first time in our history that a joint Arab military force will be created and work under the name of Arab states,” said Nabil al-Arabi, the general secretary of the Arab League. (AFP, 29 March)

The creation of a joint Arab force has come to the fore amid Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen. King Salman of Saudi Arabia told the gathering that the military intervention led by his country against Shia rebels in Yemen will continue until it brings security to the country. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim said the Huthi militias should disarm and recognize the legitimacy of Yemen’s President Hadi.

Photo credit: King Salman of Saudi Arabia addressing the Arab League summit in Sharm el-Shaikh, Egypt; 28 March 2015 (Al Arabiya)