World

Why Mr. Obama Is In Saudi Arabia

By Robert Hendin

June 3, 2009 / 8:29 AM EDT / CBS News

This story was filed by CBS News producer Robert Hendin, traveling with the president in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

5058537President Obama just landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia under bright sunshine and a high temperature of 108 degrees. It's his fourth foreign trip as President and his first to the Middle East, an area of increasing concern for the young Administration.

President Obama has renewed the push for a long-lasting Middle East peace, meeting in the Oval Office recently with the leaders of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Saudi Arabia is a major ally in his efforts, as the Saudis have put forth their own plan and getting them to the table is a key step in making any progress.

But there is much more on the President's agenda for this quick stop here in Riyadh.

His 16 hours on the ground include a long discussion with Saudi King Abdullah at his private farm here in the capital city. The President is expected to talk about reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil — much of which comes from Saudi Arabia — and the shared threat posed by Iran's push for nuclear weapons.

Specific agenda points aside, the timing of Mr. Obama's stop in Riyadh is just as key. What many observers saw as a late add to the president's already-busy schedule, the stop here comes just hours in front of his trip to Cairo, Egypt where he will deliver his long promised "Major Speech" to the Muslim world.

In his address, he's expected to reiterate what he told the Turkish Parliament a few months back, that the U.S. is not at war with Islam.

He will continue his push to mend ties between the U.S. and Muslims throughout the world; in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and the at home in America.

Saudi Arabia is home to the two holiest sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina, and the stop here is an acknowledgement of the role of the Kingdom in the Muslim world.

Serious progress in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is key to changing the way Muslims see the U.S., but many Muslims views U.S. policy as a double standard; firm support for Israel's policies without consideration for Muslim concerns.

Mr. Obama hopes to change that perception with his visit here and his speech tomorrow in Cairo.

Click below to watch a debrief from CBS News White House correspondent Chip Reid on Mr. Obama's visit to Saudi:

Obama's Trip: Complete Coverage