Obama criticised for bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia

The White House has denied that US President Barack Obama bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism.

The White House has denied that US President Barack Obama bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism.

"It wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah," said an Obama aide.

paying his respects: Barack US Obama (back to camera) greets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, in London recently. pic/ap

The Washington Times called the alleged bow au00a0 "shocking display of fealty to a foreign potentate" and said it violated centuries of American tradition of not deferring to royalty.
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The Weekly Standard, meanwhile, noted that American protocol apparently rules out bowing, or at least it reportedly did on the occasion of a Clinton "near-bow" to the emperor of Japan.

Interestingly, a columnist in the Saudi-backed Arabic paper Asharq Alawsat also took the gesture as a bow and appreciated the move.

"Obama wished to demonstrate his respect and appreciation of the personality of King Abdullah, who has made one of the most important calls in the modern era, namely the call for inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue to defuse the hatred, conflict and wars," wrote columnist Muhammad Diyab.