The beginning of the Saudi-US relations dates back to 1931, when late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud granted the right to explore for oil in the Kingdom to a US company. It was followed by the signing of the cooperation agreement between the two countries in 1933.
The US-Saudi relations were further boosted by a meeting between King Abdulaziz and US President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945. They evolved over the years to a strategic alliance strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields.
Prince Miteb’s visit comes in the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, which has been flourishing for more than 80 years, during which they have witnessed identical views on many issues that serve the interests of the two countries.
Upon his arrival to Washington DC, Prince Miteb held talks with US Senator John McCain. “The Prince’s visit reflects the depth of friendly relations between Saudi Arabia and the US in all fields,” McCain said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Adel Al-Jubair, Saudi Ambassador to the US, was present at the meeting.
Prince Miteb also attended a dinner held by the Ambassador in his honor. Several US officials and members of the Saudi diplomatic mission in the US attended the reception.
On Wednesday, US President Barack Obama held talks with the visiting Saudi Minister on major regional and international issues including Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Middle East peace.
Prince Miteb said he had discussed with the US President a number of issues concerning the two countries. He underscored the Kingdom’s strong political, economic and military ties with the US.
He said negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program were a subject of discussion during the meeting with Obama.
Obama expressed the U.S. Administration’s commitment to seeking a final solution to the crisis and that it was seeking a solution to Iran’s nuclear program during upcoming negotiations in the Tehran, Prince Miteb said.
“During the meeting, President Obama expressed his love and appreciation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Saudi people,” the Prince said, adding that the President voiced his support to combat terrorism and reinforce peace and stability in the Middle East.
“The President also expressed his desire to lift the suffering of Syrian people and stressed their right for self-determination,” Prince Miteb said. “Saudi-US ties are based on mutual respect,” he added.
Lastly, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel separately met on Friady with the Saudi Minister of the National Guard Prince Mitib bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah.
Pentagon Spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby summarized the meetings in a statement calling Saudi Arabia and Qatar “integral to ongoing coalition efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.”
In separate meetings with the two Ministers, Kirby said, “Hagel expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and Qatar and thanked the ministers for their countries' support in the fight against the ISIL.”
Hagel highlighted Saudi and Qatari participation in coalition airstrikes as well as their support to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition, Kirby said. Hagel and the two Ministers “underscored their desire to continue working closely to confront ISIL and other security challenges in the region,” he added.
Source: SPA; DoD
Photo: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel poses for a photo with Saudi Minister of the National Guard Prince Mitib bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at the Pentagon, November 21, 2014 (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)
