Despite tensions, Obama says US and Gulf united against IS

[RIYADH] President Barack Obama said Thursday the United States is united with Gulf Arab nations in fighting the Islamic State group and sought to reassure them about US overtures to regional rival Iran.

In Riyadh for talks hosted by Iran's arch-foe Saudi Arabia, Mr Obama said Washington still had "serious concerns" about Tehran, but insisted no country had an interest in conflict with the Shiite power.

Mr Obama, on likely his final presidential visit to America's historic Gulf allies, was in Riyadh seeking to reduce tensions with the Sunni Arab states.

With the IS jihadists suffering a series of recent setbacks in Syria and Iraq, Washington is seeking more help from the oil-rich Gulf monarchies to keep up the pressure.

Speaking at the close of the summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, Mr Obama played down any divisions and vowed continued cooperation in the battle against the extremists.

"We remain united in our fight to destroy (IS)," he said, adding the US "will continue to increase our security cooperation with our GCC partners".

Saudi King Salman also spoke positively, stressing the GCC's commitment to developing ties with the US "in order to serve common interests and security and peace".

Seated beside Mr Salman inside a Riyadh royal palace, Mr Obama said concerns remained about Iran's "destabilising activities" despite its landmark nuclear agreement with world powers and the lifting of sanctions.

"Even with the nuclear deal we recognise collectively that we continue to have serious concerns about Iranian behaviour," Mr Obama said.

He warned, however, of the risk of confrontation with Tehran.

"None of our nations have an interest in conflict with Iran," Mr Obama said.

Iran's emergence from international isolation following the nuclear deal has worried the Gulf monarchies, which fear Tehran will be emboldened to seek a still bigger regional role.

Gulf Arab states and Iran back opposing sides in a range of Middle East conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states belong to the US-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq since mid-2014.

But US officials have urged them do to more, especially to support Baghdad, which is battling political chaos and an economic crisis as well as the extremists.

Ben Rhodes, a close adviser to Mr Obama, said there were "political steps that can be taken," as Iraq would need assistance to hold on to and rebuild areas reclaimed from IS.

Mr Obama said a cessation of hostilities in Syria is "obviously under tremendous strain" as fighting has intensified in some areas despite efforts to hold peace talks in Geneva.

Washington hopes that in both Syria and Yemen - where a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against Iran-backed rebels in March last year - an end to broader fighting can lead to a greater focus on the battle against IS and other jihadists.

UN-backed peace negotiations between Yemen's warring sides started in Kuwait on Thursday, and Mr Obama "urged all parties" to abide by a ceasefire that began on April 11.

Jihadists - including the powerful local branch of Al-Qaeda - have exploited the Yemen conflict to strengthen their presence in the country's south.

Both Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and US Secretary of State John Kerry joined Mr Obama in Riyadh, holding meetings with top officials.

The diplomatic offensive followed months of rising tensions between the United States and the Gulf monarchies, which have for decades enjoyed strong security ties.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, the kingdom's former intelligence chief, told CNN that Mr Obama's conduct and declarations has made Saudi Arabia realise the relationship has changed.

"My personal view is that America has changed," he said.

The senior royal said the kingdom would have to "recalibrate" things such as "How far we can go with our dependence on America? How much can we rely on steadfastness from American leadership?"

In highly unusual moves, Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbaria did not broadcast either the start or the summit meeting or Mr Obama's airport arrival on Wednesday.

At a news conference after the summit, Mr Obama said talk of strains "was always overblown", saying there were "tactical" differences on how to deal with Iran.

Mr Obama also told the summit that Washington and Gulf states would work together to lessen the impact of the dramatic fall in oil prices since early 2014.

The United States and GCC "will launch a new high-level economic dialogue with a focus on adjusting to lower oil prices, increasing our economic ties and supporting GCC reforms", Mr Obama said.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, and its petroleum-rich neighbours have been forced to cut subsidies and adopt other measures to deal with deficits caused by plunging oil prices, which make up the bulk of their revenues.

AFP