U.S. President Barack Obama praised U.S.-Saudi ties Wednesday as he welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks at the White House. Mr. Obama said the United States and Saudi Arabia have an “extraordinary friendship.”

The Saudi officials were in Washington for a US-Persian Gulf leaders’ meeting. The summit begins late Wednesday with a dinner at the White House. Thursday, the meeting continues at Camp David the presidential home in Maryland.