Biden Arrives in Saudi Arabia, Exchanges 'Fist Bump' with Bin Salman

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia, the final country on his Middle East visit, on the 15th (local time).

According to Saudi state TV and others, upon reaching the royal palace in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, President Biden got out of his limousine and greeted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a fist bump for the first time.

Afterwards, President Biden met with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and shook hands. He also attended an expanded working meeting with Crown Prince bin Salman and others.

President Biden had previously met with leaders from both Israel and Palestine over two days and was visiting Saudi Arabia on the third day. This is his first Middle East visit since taking office. During this visit to Saudi Arabia, President Biden is expected to request Arab countries to increase oil production to cope with the surge in international oil prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Major foreign media noted that President Biden has criticized Crown Prince bin Salman, who is known to have ordered the assassination of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, interpreting this fist bump as a scene that defines the essential meaning of resetting bilateral relations. President Biden had once declared he would isolate Saudi Arabia in the international community. Bloomberg News reported that the fist bump "ended the era of Saudi isolation."

It is known that President Biden avoided close contact such as handshakes between leaders as a COVID-19 precaution. After being greeted by Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of Makkah Province, at Jeddah Airport, he went straight to the royal palace.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.