Riyadh briefed on Geneva talks

American and Saudi officials held top-level talks Sunday on the visit by US President Barack Obama in March.
US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman met with senior Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) officials at the meeting.
Sherman, who led the American negotiating team at talks in Vienna aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program, also discussed this issue and other regional and bilateral matters with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the foreign minister.
“Sherman met with Foreign Minister Prince Saud and discussed regional issues, bilateral cooperation, and the upcoming visits of President Obama and senior US officials,” said a statement released by the US Embassy on Monday.
Sherman also briefed the GCC secretariat and member states on “the recent EU-coordinated P5+1 talks held with Iran in Vienna,” said the statement.
This meeting underscores the “importance that the United States places on close consultations with our partners on matters that impact the security of the Gulf region, including resolving the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program,” said the statement.
Sherman is traveling to three countries in the region in five days including the United Arab Emirates for consultations with GCC governments and representatives.
Sherman arrived in Israel on Monday, where the Iranian nuclear issue also topped the agenda.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves for the US early next month to discuss regional issues with Obama before the US president embarks on his Gulf tour. Obama has also invited Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to meet with him in Washington, officials in Ramallah said Monday.