In Saudi Arabia, Obama, King Salman discuss regional conflicts, human rights issues

President Obama and King Salman.
(Image credit: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

President Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman met for two hours Wednesday in Riyadh, with the White House saying the pair discussed their opposing views on regional conflicts, human rights issues in the kingdom, and the fight against the Islamic State.

"The two leaders reaffirmed the historic friendship and deep strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," the White House said in a statement. "More broadly, the president and King discussed the challenges posed by Iran's provocative activities in the region, agreeing on the importance of an inclusive approach to de-escalating regional conflicts." The White House did not say if the pair talked about a proposed bill in Congress that could hold Saudi Arabia responsible for any role it may have played in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Reuters reports.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.