US President Barack Obama has praised the wisdom of Saudi King Abdullah, saying he travelled to the birthplace of Islam to seek counsel before his keenly awaited speech to the Muslim world.
The king hosted President Obama at his farm outside Riyadh, after the presidential motorcade drove up to the property along a drive lined by Saudi guards on horseback.
The king presented Mr Obama with a gold medallion, which he put around his visitor's neck and had warm praise for the new US leader, on a key mission designed to address Muslims and reinvigorate Middle East peace talks.
Mr Obama is due to fly to Cairo where he will deliver his much-awaited speech to try to build bridges with the Muslim world.
The US leader hopes to use his address in Cairo to try to repair some of the damage to America's image caused by the Iraq war, US treatment of military detainees and the lack of progress in Middle East peace talks.
The success of any diplomatic initiatives in the region - such as advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and halting Iran's nuclear program - may depend on how well Mr Obama is able to improve US-Islamic ties.
Mr Obama cautioned against expecting too much from the speech, which he said was just the first step in opening a broader dialogue with the Muslim world.
After Cairo, the US leader will travel to Europe for visits steeped in World War II symbolism - the Nazi Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany and the beaches of Normandy in France to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
He will also hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during his European trip.
