Riyadh - The diplomatic offensive followed months of rising tensions between the United States and the Gulf monarchies, which have for decades enjoyed strong security ties.
Published: Fri 22 Apr 2016, 9:57 PM
Photo caption: Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia; Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, Crown Prince and First Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain; His Highness Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait; His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar; Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minster of Oman; US President Barack Obama; the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia; His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Prince Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia, and Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stand for a photograph prior to the GCC-US Summit opening session in Riyadh on Thursday. - Wam
US President Barack Obama said on Thursday that Washington and Gulf Arab states were united against the Daesh group as he sought to overcome strains on Iran to boost efforts against the militants.
Obama, on likely his final presidential visit to America's historic Gulf allies, was in Riyadh seeking to reduce tensions with the Arab states rooted in US overtures to their regional rival Iran.
With the Daesh suffering a series of recent setbacks in areas under their control in Syria and Iraq, Washington is seeking more help from the Gulf countries to keep up the pressure.
Speaking at the close of the summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Obama played down any divisions and vowed continued cooperation in the battle against the extremists.
"We remain united in our fight to destroy (Daesh)," he said.
"Given the ongoing threats in the region, the United States will continue to increase our security cooperation with our GCC partners including helping them improve their own capacity to defend themselves," Obama said.
But US officials have urged them do to more, especially to support Baghdad, which is battling political chaos and an economic crisis as well as the extremists.
Ben Rhodes, a close adviser to Obama, said there were "political steps that can be taken," as Iraq would need assistance to hold on to and rebuild areas reclaimed from Daesh.
GCC, Morocco re-affirm commitment to defend security and stability
Riyadh - GCC and Moroccan leaders stressed their commitment to mutually defend their countries' security and stability, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
The GCC leaders and Moroccan King Mohammed on Wednesday renewed their solidarity and historic relations based on exceptional brotherly ties.
This came in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the GCC-Morocco summit on Thursday in the Saudi capital.
The statement said the summit was a chance to boost strategic partnerships and coordinate stances between GCC states and Morocco in order to address challenges and threats facing the Arab region, as well as to share views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.
The leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued progress in a joint action to achieve the goals of their partnership in accordance with the plans to boost human development and promote trade exchange and investments. - Wam
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There is also broad agreement on the general direction of the re
gion, aiming to see Daesh defeated and Iraq maintain its unity and stability, he said.
Obama said a cessation of hostilities in Syria is "obviously under tremendous strain" as fighting has intensified in some areas despite efforts to hold peace talks in Geneva.
Washington hopes that in both Syria and Yemen - where a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against Iran-backed rebels in March last year - an end to broader fighting can lead to a greater focus on the battle against Daesh and other militants.
UN-backed peace negotiations between Yemen's warring sides were due to start in Kuwait on Thursday, and Obama "urged all parties" to abide by a ceasefire that began on April 11.
Militants - including the powerful local branch of Al Qaeda - have exploited the Yemen conflict to strengthen their presence in the country's south.
Both Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and US Secretary of State John Kerry joined Obama in Riyadh, holding meetings with top officials.
The diplomatic offensive followed months of rising tensions between the United States and the Gulf monarchies, which have for decades enjoyed strong security ties.
Prince Turki Al Faisal, the kingdom's former intelligence chief, told CNN that Obama's conduct and declarations have made Saudi Arabia realise that the relationship has changed.
"My personal view is that America has changed," he said.
"How far we can go with our dependence on America? How much can we rely on steadfastness from American leadership? What is it that makes for our joint benefits to come together? These are things that we have to recalibrate," the senior royal said.
At a Press conference after the summit, Obama said talk of strains "was always overblown", saying there were "tactical" differences on how to deal with Iran.
Obama also told the summit that Washington and Gulf states would work together to lessen the impact of the dramatic fall in oil prices since early 2014.
On Yemen, Rhodes said the summit "takes place at a moment of particular promise and opportunity to resolve the conflict" in Saudi Arabia's neighbour.
A Saudi-led coalition launched a military operation against Houthi rebels and their allies in Yemen last year.
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