Such a shift in US policy would likely lead Riyadh to make major concessions
The United States is considering lifting a ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a ban put in place by US President Joe Biden in February last year, the news agency reported on Monday. Reuters.
The source said Saudi officials pressured the Biden administration to drop the measure ahead of the president’s trip to the region this week, hoping for a previously suspended supply of precision-guided munitions.
Citing four people familiar with the talks between Washington and Riyadh, the agency said such a shift in US policy would likely entail major concessions from Saudi Arabia.
While Joe Biden had promised to make it a “pariah” state, he is now preparing to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
After his visit to Israel on Wednesday, Joe Biden will thus travel to Jeddah, in the Saudi kingdom, on Friday, thanks to an unprecedented direct flight: “I know that many do not agree with my decision to go to Saudi Arabia”, a- he admitted in a grandstand at the washington postSaturday, in which he explains his change of strategy.
But, according to two sources cited by Reuters, Joe Biden is expected to maintain a cautious approach during his visit. And if the lifting of the ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia seems to be on the negotiating table, it remains to be seen what Ryad, for its part, is ready to do to reconnect with the United States.
