Biden calls on Saudi Arabian king ahead of report on Kashoggi death

Joe Biden at the White House (illustrative image).

SAUL LOEB AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Joe Biden spoke Thursday, February 25, for the first time as President of the United States with King Salman of Saudi Arabia as Washington is due to release a declassified CIA report soon pointing to the responsibility of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in San Francisco,

Éric de Salve

According to the White House, in his long-awaited phone call to King Salman on Thursday, February 25, Joe Biden "

recalled the importance that the United States places on human rights

" and promised to make the relationship between Riyadh and Washington more solid and transparent.

On the other hand, he made no mention of the explosive CIA report that the United States is preparing to publish and which establishes the responsibility of Crown Prince Mohamed Ben Salman in the assassination and dismemberment, in 2018, in the consulate. from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul by journalist 

Jamal Khashoggi

. 

Change of tone

Gone are the days when Donald Trump turned a blind eye to Riyadh's human rights violations.

Joe Biden wants to redefine the relationship with the Saudi palace.

The new American president refuses to speak directly with the crown prince, however de facto ruler of the kingdom and privileged interlocutor of Trumpist diplomacy. 

The new president has also ended US support for Riyadh's war in Yemen.

Finally, the White House suggests that sanctions could be decided against Saudi officials involved in the death of Jamal Khashoggi.

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • United States

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Joe biden

  • Mohammed bin salman

  • Diplomacy

  • Salman bin Abdelaziz al-Saud

On the same subject

Yemen: Houthis removed from US blacklist of terrorist groups

United States: White House wants to "recalibrate" its relationship with Saudi Arabia

Murder of Jamal Khashoggi: Saudi final verdict overturns five death sentences