Obama thanks Saudi king for role in averting bombings

US President Barack Obama on Saturday thanked Saudi King Abdullah for the "critical role" of Saudi counter-terrorism authorities in uncovering a parcel bomb plot and averting attacks, the White House said.

"The president spoke to Saudi King Abdullah this morning to discuss the terrorist plot that was disrupted yesterday at East Midlands Airport and in Dubai," the White House said in a summary of Obama's phone call to the Saudi monarch. (Reuters)