Saudi Arabia, close partner of the US: White House

Calling their bilateral relationship as broad, deep and wide-ranging, the White House while announcing a presidential visit to the country, has said that notwithstanding mutual differences, Saudi Arabia is a "close partner" of the US.

"Saudi Arabia is a close partner of the United States and we have a bilateral relationship that is broad and deep and covers a range of areas," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

US President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia next month.

"The President very much looks forward to the visit where all of those areas will be discussed in his meetings. And whatever differences we may have do not alter the fact that this is a very important and close partnership," Carney said.

Carney was responding to questions about reports that talked about concerns that Saudis have about how the US has handled the situation in Iran and Syria and some other countries in the neighbourhood.

"Obviously, the Middle East peace process, matters involving security situations across the region, important economic issues with our bilateral relationship -- this is an important meeting between two close partners and I'm sure the whole panoply of issues will be discussed," Carney said.

Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia following his travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy in March.