Obama, Saudi King discuss 2-state Mideast solution
US president tells reporters White House meeting centered on 'importance of moving forward to secure Palestinian homeland alongside prosperous Israel. Abdullah: Americans friends of Arab, Muslim people
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama and Saudi King Abdullah discussed the Middle East peace process and the importance of securing a Palestinian homeland alongside a strong Israeli state, Obama said on Tuesday.
Obama said their meeting at the White House ranged over a number of strategic issues, including Iran's nuclear program, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as "the importance of moving forward in a swift and bold way in securing a Palestinian homeland that can live side by side with a secure and prosperous Israeli state."
The US president added, "As representatives of two G-20 countries, we also continued the conversation that took place this weekend about how the Saudi -- how the Saudi government and the United States government can work with our other partners around the world to keep the economic recovery going and to help bring about the strong economic growth that's necessary to put people back to work,".
King Abdullah only spoke briefly after their meeting, thanking Obama for his hospitality and praising the friendship between their two countries.
"I would like to say to the friendly American people that the American people are friends of Saudi Arabia and its people, and they are friends of the Arab and Muslim people, and they are also friends of humanity," he said.
The White House said after the meeting and lunch that King Abdullah assured Obama of his support for the Arab Middle East peace initiative.
The leaders also discussed building a Saudi army that would be capable of facing the Iranian threat. The possible purchase of 72 F-16 jets by the Saudi was also discussed.
