WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Representative Engel is joining President Barack Obama as part of the bipartisan delegation to offer condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, on the passing of the King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz.
“I want to extend my condolences to King Salman and the people of Saudi Arabia, and I’m humbled that President Obama asked me to join his delegation representing the United States on this sad occasion,” said Rep. Engel. “King Abdullah helped to strengthen the critical partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and I hope the days ahead bring a smooth transition for King Salman and his government. I look forward to working with Saudi Arabia’s leaders in the future on the many challenges facing our two countries and the region.”
Additional dignitaries joining the delegation include Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), former Secretaries of State James Baker and Condoleezza Rice, and former National Security Advisors Sandy Berger, Brent Scowcroft, and Stephen Hadley.
