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White House Denies Prez Bowed to Saudi King

President accused of royal breach of protocol at G20 summit

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 9, 2009 4:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – The White House denies President Obama broke centuries of protocol by bowing to a foreign monarch at the G20 talks, Politico reports. A video from the summit showing the president dipping as he greeted Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has infuriated right-wingers who believe the movement was a bow. The deep dip won praise for the president in parts of the Arab world.

"It wasn't a bow," said a White House aide. "He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

President Obama meets politicians from Saudi Arabia during a reception for G20 leaders at Buckingham Palace in London last week. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

President Obama meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the G-20 summit at the ExCel Centre in London last week. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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This video (not in English) shows President Obama greeting the Saudi king at 0:53. (YouTube)

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White House Denies Prez Bowed to Saudi King