In first talks with Saudi King, Joe Biden focuses on defence, human rights

In conversation with Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, US President Joe Biden addressed the longstanding diplomatic partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia and highlighted policy aspects like defense and human rights.

Biden, in a call which was long overdue, demonstrated support for the kingdom by addressing the unrest in the region and discussed “the US commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups”, reported AFP. 

Also Read: US to release report stating Saudi Crown Prince approved 2018 Khashoggi killing

However, Biden also cryptically pointed fingers at Saudi Arabia by mentioning the importance of basic human rights standards that the US expects. A statement from the White House said that Biden “affirmed the importance the United States places on universal human rights and the rule of law”. 

However, the call had no direct mention of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist from The Washington Post who was murdered in a Saudi Consulate, according to US intelligence reports. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday had his own telephone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and “discussed the importance of Saudi progress on human rights, including through legal and judicial reforms,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State on Thursday, spoke to Faisal bin Farhan, his Saudi counterpart and addressed the need for Saudi Arabia’s judicial and legal reforms to streamline the human rights situation in the country, according to Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department. 

Also Read: Jamal Khashoggi report will help bring ‘accountability’, says White House

The White House was to release a declassified intelligence report on Thursday, which has found that Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. 

Khashoggi, who was living in self-exile in Saudi Arabia, often wrote in criticism of the Saudi crown prince. The 59-year-old journalist was asked to visit the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was assassinated, seeking some documents he required.