King Salman, Obama to continue strategic ties

King Salman also introduced his senior ministers to Obama, including Crown Prince Muqrin, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif, and Prince Khaled bin Bandar, chief of general intelligence.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah, Saudi ambassador to the US Adel Al-Jubeir and his counterpart in Riyadh Joseph Westphal were also present at the airport.

According to the US embassy Riyadh, Obama led a delegation of current and former US officials, which include John Kerry, secretary of state; John McCain, senator from the state of Arizona; and Mark Warner, senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The others included Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement; Susan Rice, assistant to the president and national security adviser; Jennifer Palmieri, assistant to the president and director of communications; Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counter terrorism; and Peter A. Selfridge, United States Chief of Protocol.

The other members included John Brennan, director of the Central Intelligence Agency; General Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of US Central Command; James Baker, former secretary of state; Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state; Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser; and several other foreign policy leaders from past administrations. Vice President Joe Biden had remained in Washington.

Baker is revered in the Arab Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, for his role in orchestrating the alliance against Saddam Hussein in 1990 and 1991.