Riyadh, June 03: US President Barack Obama praised the "wisdom" of Saudi King Abdullah on Wednesday, saying he travelled to the birthplace of Islam to seek counsel before his keenly awaited speech to the Muslim world.
The king hosted Obama at his farm outside Riyadh, after
the presidential motorcade drove up to the property along a
drive lined by Saudi guards on horseback.
"This is my first visit to Saudi Arabia, but I`ve had
several conversations with His Majesty," Obama said.
"I`ve been struck by his wisdom and his graciousness,"
Obama said, praising the long friendship between the United
States and Saudi Arabia, the regional economic and political
powerhouse.
"As I take this trip and will be visiting Cairo tomorrow
I thought it was very important to come to the place where
Islam began and to seek his Majesty`s counsel," Obama said.
"I am confident that working together that the United
States and Saudi Arabia can make progress on a whole host of
issues of mutual interest."
The king presented Obama with a gold medallion, which he
put around his visitor`s neck and had warm praise for the new
US leader, on a key mission designed to address Muslims and
reinvigorate Middle East peace talks.
"I also want to express my best wishes to the friendly
American people who are represented by a distinguished man who
deserves to be in this position," he said.
Bureau Report
