US President Joe Biden says he is working to promote Israel's burgeoning ties with Arab partners in the Middle East.
Biden spoke after meeting Israel's interim prime minister, Yair Lapid, in Jerusalem on Thursday.
I talked about how important it was from my perspective for Israel to be totally integrated in the region, Biden said.
Under the Trump administration, Israel struck diplomatic deals with four Arab countries known as the Abraham Accords.
Biden is hoping to build on those fledgling ties as he heads to Saudi Arabia to meet with Gulf Arab partners this weekend. The ties are largely based on shared concerns about Iran's nuclear programme and military activities across the region.
Lapid described Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia as extremely important to Israel.
Biden also appeared to give a boost to Lapid, who hopes to win a full term in November elections. We had a good beginning of a long, God willing, relationship, Biden said.
