Biden plans ‘full reset’ of ties with Saudis
"Both sides have decided that for the sake of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, we need to move past it," the report quoted a US official said regarding the killing of Khashoggi.
Washington: The Biden administration and the Saudi leadership have agreed to reset bilateral relations that includes moving past differences over the killing of columnist Jamal Khashoggi amid the need to boost oil production, CNN reported citing senior administration officials.
“Both sides have decided that for the sake of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, we need to move past it,” the report quoted a US official said regarding the killing of Khashoggi.
President Joe Biden is ready to reset relations with Saudi Arabia in order to repair ties between the two allies, but he will raise Khashoggi’s killing when meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as soon as July, the report said.
Biden will fly directly from Tel Aviv to Riyadh during his trip to the Middle East next month, the report said citing two officials in the region familiar with the matter.
A National Security Council spokesperson said Saudi Arabia, Israel and the other countries in the Middle East share a significant agenda that includes ending wars and bringing stability to the region through diplomacy.
The report also said Biden is willing to put aside moral outrage in order to persuade Riyadh to boost oil production to rein in soaring gas prices.
