WASHINGTON

President Joe Biden received Turkiye's US envoy, Hasan Murat Mercan, at the White House this week, the embassy announced Friday.

Mercan was received by the US president on April 4. A photo of Mercan shaking hands with Biden in the Oval Office was posted on his personal Twitter account, and on the account of the Turkish embassy in Washington.

Biden did not host any ambassadors at the White House since taking office due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Mercan's visit marks the first time the US president received ambassadors at the executive mansion.

Mercan took office on March 15, 2021.