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29 March 2024

Cheney arrives in KSA to discuss oil

Published
By Agencies

 

US Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday, looking to press King Abdullah to do more to help Iraq and Afghanistan and seek ways to stabilise the world energy market, top aides said.

 

"I'm sure they will talk about the need for a co-operative way forward to try and stabilise this market, reduce the volatility in the market, and serve the interests of both consumers and producers alike," John Hannah, national security adviser to Cheney, told reporters.

 

Oil prices have risen in recent weeks to record highs above $100 a barrel because investors have piled into commodities as the value of the US dollar has sharply fallen.

 

Cheney was given a traditional welcome by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal at Riyadh airport after his arrival from Oman. Saudi forces provided an honour guard for the US vice president.

 

Cheney overnighted in Oman after a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

 

"They are going to build off of the president's discussions here clearly. They will review those discussions. They will review a broad agenda of diplomatic and security issues as well as where we are now in the global energy market," Hannah said.

 

Cheney's trip follows a visit by President Bush who in January called for crude oil exporters' group Opec to increase production.

 

Cheney is on the latest stop of a 10-day trip to the region which has included Oman and surprise visits to war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan. (AFP & Reuters)