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Iran threat, peace process key at Saudi-US summit

29 June 2010 03:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Saudi doubts over US-driven sanctions on Iran, the flagging Middle East peace process and Afghanistan will be the focus of King Abdullah’s talks at the White House this week, analysts say, APA reports quoting â€œDaily Timesâ€.

Tuesday’s meeting between President Barack Obama and the 86-year-old sovereign of the Middle East oil giant, their third, comes after the sacking of the US commander in Afghanistan and with Iran still defiant over its controversial nuclear programme. Obama is expected to urge Saudi patience on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and seek its help in shoring up support in Afghanistan and Pakistan for the fight against the Taliban. The two sides could also agree on an arms deals to build Riyadh’s defensive capabilities against Iran’s threat, including a long-pending request for as many as 72 F-15 Eagle tactical fighters, according to defence industry sources. There are no gaping strategic differences between the close allies, said Saudi expert Thomas Lippman at the US Council on Foreign Relations. Abdullah and Obama’s initial meeting in Riyadh on June 3, 2009, and Obama’s landmark address to the Arab world in Cairo the next day did much to bridge the chasm dug by previous president George W Bush’s administration. The two coordinate closely on fighting al Qaeda and other threats, Lippman said. "There’s no breach to be repaired like before," he added.

But even as they endorse Washington’s lead on key regional problems, the Saudis have doubts about its approach, especially in Iran and Afghanistan.