Despite US President-elect Joe Biden’s promise stern stance against Saudi Arabia for its human rights, the Arab nation expects no major change in its relationship with Washington under the leadership of 77-year-old Democrat, a senior official told CNN. 

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has appeared wary of Biden, who has pledged to turn the Kingdom into a “pariah.” However, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, Adel al-Jubeir dismissed the notions saying, “We deal with the president of the United States as a friend, whether he’s Republican or Democrat,” CNN quoted. 

In an interview with CNN, Adel said, “President-elect Biden has been in the (US) Senate for 35 years, he has tremendous experience… I don’t expect that there’s going to be major change in terms of America’s foreign policy.”

His comments as the Kingdom is hosting the G20 leaders’ summit this weekend, first for an Arab nation, while global campaigners are seeking to draw attention to the human rights record in Saudi Arabia. 

Joe Biden, during his election campaign, threatened to make Saudi Arabia “the pariah that they are”. The kingdom has largely escaped the US censure under the outgoing President, who along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, has enjoyed a personal rapport with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. 

However, Saudi observers dismissed Biden’s campaign speeches on the nation as bluster noting that Trump made similar hostile remarks in his 2016 campaign before quickly warming up to its rulers, reported AFP. 

“We deal with the presidents once they’re in office, and we have huge interests with the United States,” Jubeir said.

“We are working together on global economic security, on energy security, on financial issues, and we are key in terms of the Muslim world. These interests are huge for us and for the United States.”