Reuters quoted an unnamed senior U.S. official saying the monarch's decision to skip the summit was "not in response to any substantive issue."
"We first learned of the king's possible change of plans from the Saudis on Friday night," the official said. "This was confirmed by the Saudis on Saturday. We coordinated closely with our Saudi partners on the alternate arrangement and timing of the announcement, and look forward to welcoming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman."
In a statement, al-Jubeir said the summit Thursday coincides with a humanitarian cease-fire in the conflict in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Shiite rebels known as Houthis. He said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is also interior minister, would lead the Saudi delegation and the king's son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defense minister, will also attend.
President Barack Obama had planned to meet Salman one-on-one a day before the gathering of leaders at the presidential retreat.
The king, who took power in January after his brother King Abdullah died, has not traveled abroad since his ascension to the throne.
As recently as Friday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was saying the Saudi king would attend the meeting to "resume consultations on a wide range of regional and bilateral issues." Sources say military cooperation is the central focus of the talks.
According to Arab officials quoted by the Times, Salman's decision not to attend is seen as a signal he is unhappy with what the United States has offered as assurances that America will protect its Arab allies again Iran.
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