Biden accidentally praised the selfishness of American soldiers during his visit to Saudi Arabia

President Joe Biden delivered another quote on the last day of his Middle East tour, when he inadvertently praised the “selfishness” of the US military.

The incident comes as Biden delivered prepared remarks to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

“For the first time since 9/11, an American president has visited the region without US troops engaged – on a combat mission in the region,” Biden said.

“We will always honor the courage, selfishness – selflessness – and sacrifice of the Americans who have served, including my son, Major Beau Biden,” the president added, quickly. correct your mistakes.

Biden delivered a different take on the last day of his Middle East tour, when he inadvertently praised the ‘selfishness’ of the US military, rather than their ‘altruism’.

US service members stand by the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during Saudi Arabia’s first World Defense Exhibition in March

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, seated behind Biden as he spoke, was seen blinking and moving uncomfortably in his seat as the president initially misread his prepared remarks.

Saturday’s unfortunate slip was not the only blunder of Biden’s four-day swing through the Mideast, which included stops in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, Biden was speaking to Israeli leaders when he falsely claimed to ‘keep the truth and honor of the Holocaust’.

In that case, he also immediately corrected himself and read the right line: ‘Holocaust horror.’

In another puzzling sequence of events, the White House also telegraphed ahead of the trip that Biden would limit physical contact and avoid shaking hands, allegedly as a precaution against COVID-19.

But the move was seen by many as a way to avoid shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto leader, who the CIA says approved the assassination of journalist Jamal. Khashoggi in 2018.

A handwritten photo shows President Joe Biden (left) holding hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) as he arrives for a controversial royal meeting on Friday night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -ut

After his first visit to Israel, Biden got into some bumps, but quickly broke down and began shaking hands with familiar leaders, leading to speculation that he would be forced to do the same. MBS, as bin Salman is widely known.

Instead, he also deployed a fist punch with MBS, which quickly became the defining image of the tour, with some critics saying the fist punch was worse than a fist. shake hands.

Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancée, shares what she believes her belated love’s reaction will be after a fist bump: ‘Is this the responsibility you promised for his murder? I’m not? The blood of the next MBS victims is on your hand. ‘

Fred Ryan, publisher and CEO of The Washington Post – the company that hired Khashoggi – called Biden’s punch with the crown prince ‘shameful’.

“The collision between President Biden and Mohammed bin Salman was worse than a handshake – shameful,” Ryan said in a statement. ‘It envisages a level of intimacy and comfort that gives MBS the unwarranted redemption he has so desperately sought.’

Asked by a DailyMail.com reporter about criticism of the fist bump, Biden laughed and then said it was a ‘dumb question’ when asked how he could be sure of a case. killing other people like Khashoggi won’t happen again.

President Joe Biden (center left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (centre right) pose for a family photo with other leaders during GCC+ 3

Biden leaves the airport after Saturday’s meeting, waving goodbye on the tarmac of King Abdulaziz International Airport after spending less than 24 hours in Saudi Arabia

Biden also asserted that he brought up Khashoggi’s murder during a meeting with bin Salman, who is often referred to by his initials, MBS.

“Regarding Khashoggi’s murder, I raised it at the beginning of the meeting, stating what I thought about it at the time and what I think about it now,” Biden told reporters from a hotel in Washington. Jeddah after his meeting. with Saudi Arabia. ‘I’m frank and outspoken… I’ve made my point clear.’

“What happened to Khashoggi is outrageous,” Biden then offered advice.

Saturday’s summit is the final stop on Biden’s Middle East tour, and brings together six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

In his speech, Biden once again vowed to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons and promote stronger ties between countries in the region. Biden wants to see Israel more integrated to help counter the growing threat from Iran.

He also stated that the US would not ‘withdraw’ from the Middle East.

“We will not walk away and leave the void to be filled by China, Russia or Iran,” he said. ‘We will try to build on this moment with dynamic, principled, American leadership.’