Biden to raise energy security during Gulf Cooperation Council meeting

WASHINGTON

US President Joe Biden will raise security, including energy security, in talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council plus Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, known as the GCC+3, later this month in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, an official said Thursday.

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, told reporters via video conference that Biden's visit July 13 - 16 to Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia “will also give us an opportunity to continue aligning on issues like security, including energy security, and of course, the continued threats posed by Iran throughout the region."

“And of course, we've made some advancements in partnering with regional countries on clean energy, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, and a range of other issues," he said.

Kirby said Biden will sit down with Saudi King Salman and his leadership, including Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman.

He said the human rights issue, during the president's visit, will be central to Biden's foreign policy agenda.

On the threat of Daesh/ISIS, Kirby said it does not grab headlines every day but the terror group is much more diminished than it has ever been before.

"It doesn't mean it's wiped off the map. It doesn't mean they still don't pose a threat. They absolutely do. They're still a viable organization. But our continued work with the SDF and Syria has continued to pay off," he added, referring to the group manned mostly by PKK/YPG terrorists.

*Dildar Baykan contributed to the report.