President Joe Biden has wrapped up his four-day visit to the Middle East, his first trip to the region since assuming the Oval Office.

On Saturday, Biden attempted to reassert US leadership in the Middle East as he met with key leaders in the region, promising his administration would stay engaged amid fears China and Russia would swiftly fill a leadership vacuum.

Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday. He was was greeted at the Al Salam Royal Palace by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the two exchanged a fist bump before holding meetings. Biden also met with Saudi King Salman.

Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia has drawn criticism given that US intelligence has deemed the Crown Prince responsible for ordering the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Biden has defended his trip by saying it is critical to the security of the United States.

In late-night remarks Friday, Biden said that he brought up Khashoggi's murder while he was meeting with the Crown Prince, who has denied involvement in the journalist's death.

"I raised it at the top of the meeting, making clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now. I was straight forward and direct in discussing it. I made my view crystal clear," Biden said. "I said very straight forwardly, for an American president to be silent on the issue of human rights is inconsistent with who we are and who I am. I'll always stand up for our values."

Biden started his trip Wednesday in Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Herzog awarded Biden with the Presidential Medal of Honor for his support of Israel throughout his career.

On Friday, Biden met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Biden had a series of engagements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and several funding announcements aimed at helping Palestinians.

Biden speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting on Saturday.
Biden speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting on Saturday.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
President Joe Biden meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday.
President Joe Biden meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday.
Evan Vucci/AP
Biden and the Saudi Crown Prince exchange a fist bump Friday, July 15, as Biden arrives at the Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Biden and the Saudi Crown Prince exchange a fist bump Friday, July 15, as Biden arrives at the Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout/Reuters
Biden is joined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as the Saudi Crown Prince receives them at the palace on Friday.
Biden is joined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as the Saudi Crown Prince receives them at the palace on Friday.
Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout/Reuters
Biden and his delegation, left, sit down with the Crown Prince and his team for talks at the palace.
Biden and his delegation, left, sit down with the Crown Prince and his team for talks at the palace.
Evan Vucci/AP
Biden meets with Saudi King Salman at the palace on Friday. But given the King's deteriorating health, the working session was conducted by the Crown Prince.
Biden meets with Saudi King Salman at the palace on Friday. But given the King's deteriorating health, the working session was conducted by the Crown Prince.
Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout/Reuters
Biden and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas walk together Friday at the Presidential Compound in the West Bank.
Biden and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas walk together Friday at the Presidential Compound in the West Bank.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Biden and Abbas shake hands on Friday. The meeting with Abbas came as Biden continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following his meeting with Abbas, Biden acknowledged such an agreement "seems so far away" and that "the ground is not ripe at this moment to restart negotiations." However, he also suggested that better relations between Israel and Arab nations could lead to momentum to a deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
Biden and Abbas shake hands on Friday. The meeting with Abbas came as Biden continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Following his meeting with Abbas, Biden acknowledged such an agreement "seems so far away" and that "the ground is not ripe at this moment to restart negotiations." However, he also suggested that better relations between Israel and Arab nations could lead to momentum to a deal between Israelis and Palestinians.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Abbas welcomes Biden on Friday.
Abbas welcomes Biden on Friday.
Mohamad Torokman/Reuters
An image of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was fatally shot while covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank, is seen on a chair at a news conference with Biden and Abbas. Biden said her death was "an enormous loss to the essential work of sharing with the world the story of the Palestinian people."
An image of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was fatally shot while covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank, is seen on a chair at a news conference with Biden and Abbas. Biden said her death was "an enormous loss to the essential work of sharing with the world the story of the Palestinian people."
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Israeli President Isaac Herzog awards Biden with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor on Thursday. Biden, who was recognized for his longtime support of Israel, said it was "among the greatest honors of my career."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog awards Biden with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor on Thursday. Biden, who was recognized for his longtime support of Israel, said it was "among the greatest honors of my career."
Evan Vucci/AP
Biden points to his USA hat as he meets with US athletes competing in the Maccabiah Games, an international Jewish and Israeli multi-sport event, on Thursday. Biden also watched a portion of the opening ceremonies.
Biden points to his USA hat as he meets with US athletes competing in the Maccabiah Games, an international Jewish and Israeli multi-sport event, on Thursday. Biden also watched a portion of the opening ceremonies.
Evan Vucci/AP
Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F07%2F14%2Fpolitics%2Fbiden-israel-trip-day-2%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sign a new joint declaration Thursday</a> aimed at expanding the security relationship between their nations and countering what they described as efforts by Iran to destabilize the region. Biden on Thursday said the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, and he said he believed diplomacy remained the best avenue to keep the nation from obtaining one.
Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid sign a new joint declaration Thursday aimed at expanding the security relationship between their nations and countering what they described as efforts by Iran to destabilize the region. Biden on Thursday said the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, and he said he believed diplomacy remained the best avenue to keep the nation from obtaining one.
Atef Safadi/AP
Biden lays a wreath Wednesday at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.
Biden lays a wreath Wednesday at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.
Menahem Kahana/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Biden meets with Holocaust survivors during his visit to Yad Vashem on Wednesday.
Biden meets with Holocaust survivors during his visit to Yad Vashem on Wednesday.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Biden wrote this note during his visit to Yad Vashem. "It is a great honor to be back — back to my emotional home," Biden wrote. "We must never, ever, forget, because hate is never defeated — it only hides. We must teach every succeeding generation that it can happen again unless we remember. That is what I teach my children and grandchildren. Never forget."
Biden wrote this note during his visit to Yad Vashem. "It is a great honor to be back — back to my emotional home," Biden wrote. "We must never, ever, forget, because hate is never defeated — it only hides. We must teach every succeeding generation that it can happen again unless we remember. That is what I teach my children and grandchildren. Never forget."
Menahem Kahana/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
After Air Force One arrived in Israel, Biden was greeted by Lapid and Herzog. The White House said the fist bumps are <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F07%2F13%2Fpolitics%2Fhandshakes-joe-biden-israel%2Findex.html" target="_blank">part of an effort to reduce physical contact</a> amid the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant. But Biden was later seen shaking hands as well.
After Air Force One arrived in Israel, Biden was greeted by Lapid and Herzog. The White House said the fist bumps are part of an effort to reduce physical contact amid the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant. But Biden was later seen shaking hands as well.
Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images
"We're going to deepen our connections in science and innovation and work to address global challenges through the new strategic high-level dialogue on technology," Biden said in his remarks at the Ben Gurion Airport. "We'll continue to advance Israel's integration into the region, expand emerging forums and engagement." The President added, "Greater peace, greater stability, greater connection. It's critical. It's critical, if I might add, for all the people of the region."
"We're going to deepen our connections in science and innovation and work to address global challenges through the new strategic high-level dialogue on technology," Biden said in his remarks at the Ben Gurion Airport. "We'll continue to advance Israel's integration into the region, expand emerging forums and engagement." The President added, "Greater peace, greater stability, greater connection. It's critical. It's critical, if I might add, for all the people of the region."
Amir Cohen/Reuters
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, left, joins Biden and Lapid for a briefing on Israel's Iron Dome defense system and the next-generation, laser-enabled Iron Beam system.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, left, joins Biden and Lapid for a briefing on Israel's Iron Dome defense system and the next-generation, laser-enabled Iron Beam system.
Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool/AP
The American and Israeli flags are projected onto the walls of Jerusalem's Old City in honor of Biden's visit.
The American and Israeli flags are projected onto the walls of Jerusalem's Old City in honor of Biden's visit.
Mahmoud Illean/AP