Leaders of the Arab world congratulated US presidential election winner Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris over the weekend, after the presidential race was officially called by major media outlets.
Many of the leaders – particularly in the Gulf – have had good relations with President Donald Trump, who has taken a tough stance against Iran through his ‘maximum pressure’ policy.
Despite this, they all congratulated Biden for the victory over Trump, excluding the leaders of Saudi Arabia, as at the time of filing this report on Sunday, November 8.
Below are the statements from Arab leaders that were reported by official news agencies and posted on social media.
Qatar
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani congratulated Biden and Harris, saying he looked forward to keep strengthening the close relations between the two countries.
“Congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. My best wishes to the people of the United States and I look forward to working together to continue strengthening the friendship between our countries,” he tweeted.
Bahrain
Bahrain took a more old-school approach, sending a congratulatory cable to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris.
The state-run Bahrain News Agency said Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, sent a congratulatory cable highlighting “the longstanding and historic partnership” between the two countries.
Oman
Oman’s sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said wrote a letter expressing his “sincere congratulations” to Biden for “gaining the confidence of the American people”.
The Sultan also wished the President-elect “success in leading the friendly American people towards further progress and welfare,” the gulf country’s state-run state news agency reported.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, congratulated both Biden and Harris – set to become the first woman, first black person and first person of Indian descent to be elected to the position – on the win in a cable sent out on Saturday, the state-run KUNA news agency reported.
In the cable, Sheikh Nawaf praised the “historic and strong relationship” between countries.
Yemen
The President of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, sent a telegram congratulating Biden for the win and expressing willingness to strenghten bilateral ties, a presidential statement said.
Hadi wished Biden “good health and happiness” and hoped the government and people of the US would have “progress and prosperity” under the new administration.
Palestine
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Biden, hinting at renewed relations with the White House.
“I congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his victory as President of the United States of America for the coming period,” Abbas said in a statement issued on Sunday from his West Bank office.
Abbas boycotted dealings with President Donald Trump’s administration after Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state in 2017.
“I look forward to working with the President-elect and his administration to strengthen the Palestinian-American relations and to achieve freedom, independence, justice and dignity for our people,” Abbas said in the statement.
Sudan
Sudan’s premier Abdalla Hamdok on Sunday congratulated Biden and Harris “on behalf of the Sudanese people”.
In a tweet, Hamdok said he is looking forward to working closely with them both to continue building bridges of friendship and cooperation”.
Libya
The head of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, on Saturday congratulated Biden and Harris, according to a statement released by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mohamed Al-Giblawi.
Al-Sarraj said he hopes to work with Biden and Harris “to achieve a democratic civil state in Libya”.
Saudi Arabia and Syria did not release congratulatory statements at the time of publishing.
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