President Obama Meets Two Key Saudi Leaders In The Oval Office

Reuters: Obama meets two Saudi princes after King sent regrets

President Barack Obama on Wednesday went out of his way to praise two of Saudi Arabia's top leaders before meeting privately with them at the White House and played down the absence of King Salman, who pulled out of the visit last week.

"The United States and Saudi Arabia have an extraordinary friendship and relationship that dates back to (President) Franklin Roosevelt," Obama said at the start of the meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office.

"We are continuing to build that relationship during a very challenging time," he said.

WNU Editor: As the above video reveals .... the key people in the GCC decided to stay away from this summit .... hence diminishing the impact that the White House was hoping for. Case in point .... the Bahrain king decided to not show up .... he is more interested in visiting a UK horse show .... Absent from Obama summit, Bahrain king to visit UK horse show (Reuters).