President Obama calls Saudi Ambassador to express solidarity
October 13, 2011
U.S. President Barack Obama has called Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir to express solidarity after the discovery of an alleged plot to assassinate him. “President Obama underscored that the United States believes this plot to be a flagrant breach of U.S. and international law. He also underscored the close partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia,” the White House said in a statement.President Obama also placed a telephone call to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. During their conversation, the two leaders condemned the terrorist plot, while also discussing bilateral cooperation and developments in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice presented to members of the Security Council late last night detailed information on the failed plot. Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah Al-Mualami joined Rice in separate meetings with the ambassadors of Security Council member states, in addition to officials from the U.S. Departments of Justice and State, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In a statement to ABC News, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden confirmed yesterday that the Obama administration is working to rally unified world opinion in support of a possible American response. Vice President Biden described the assassination plot as shameful, saying that the Iranians will be held accountable for trying to breach one of the pillars of international relations – the sanctity and safety of diplomats.
The perpetrators were also condemned at a press conference by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who called the incident a “reckless act” that “undermines international norms and the international system.” She stated, “This plot, very fortunately disrupted by the excellent work of our law enforcement and intelligence professionals, was a flagrant violation of international and U.S. law, and a dangerous escalation.”
The assassination plot has been condemned by governments and organizations around the world, and numerous countries have expressed solidarity with the Kingdom.
