Biden Plans First Call to Saudi King Ahead of Khashoggi Report

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden expects his first call to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman “to happen soon,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, as the U.S. works to re-evaluate relations with the world’s largest oil exporter.

The call is expected to come ahead of the expected release of a U.S. intelligence report that may lay blame for the murder of Saudi Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on the king’s son and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Biden will inform the king of the findings, Axios has reported.

U.S. Release of Khashoggi Report Could Embarrass Saudi Prince

Prince Mohammed has denied any involvement in the killing, while saying he accepts symbolic responsibility for it as the country’s de facto ruler.

Asked about Biden’s past criticism of the Saudi regime, which he has faulted for its record on human rights and its conduct of the war in Yemen, Psaki said, “I would certainly not say his concerns or his views have changed.”

“He is, of course, now president of the United States,” she said “Of course, he has the right to take action of any kind as the president of the United States. But there also areas where we will work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on, including ensuring that they have the protections they need to face the threats that are facing them.”

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