Joe Biden defends meeting with Saudi prince Mohammad bin Salman

• US President Joe Biden says he will not visit Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, during a trip next month.
• Instead, he will be attending an “international conference” in Riyadh.
• The visit is part of his first trip to the Gulf as president.

WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden said on Friday that he will not visit Saudi Arabia specifically to see de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman during a trip next month, but rather as part of a larger “international conference.”

Biden’s visit to MBS, the crown prince, is part of his first trip to the Gulf as president. US politicians, including some from his own Democratic Party, as well as human rights organisations, have chastised him, claiming that the visit contradicts his vow to put human rights at the centre of US foreign policy.

“I won’t be meeting with MBS. I’m going to an international conference, and he’ll be there, too “When asked how he would address the topic of the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US citizen and critic of the crown prince, Biden told reporters on Friday.

The president is heading to Saudi Arabia at the request of King Salman, according to a spokesperson for the National Security Council. For the GCC+3 Summit, he will be joined by eight other leaders of state.

Biden and US officials will also meet with King Salman and his staff, which will include the crown prince, in a bilateral meeting.

Biden’s position has not altered, according to the White House, as recently as this month.

Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is increasingly necessary for Washington to strengthen ties with Gulf monarchs. This is due to Europe’s desire to import less energy from Russia.

Western diplomats previously told Reuters that the US is encouraging Gulf states to publicly denounce Moscow. The Gulf states have attempted to maintain a “neutral” stance.