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Obama Granted Saudi King's Bling Award

'Goodness gracious,' says prez of golden top honor

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2009 6:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama was given Saudi Arabia's weightiest honor by King Abdullah yesterday, the Daily Telegraph reports. "Goodness gracious. That's something there," Obama exclaimed as he was presented with the thick gold chain and medallion of the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit. The president put the necklace aside "for safekeeping" after a few photos.

"Those are only given to the very few friends of the king, and you are certainly one of those," the king said before giving Obama the award, which George W. Bush received last year. 

President Barack Obama receives a gift from Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
President Barack Obama receives a gift from Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President  Obama takes off a gold necklace called the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, the country's highest honor, for safekeeping after it was given to him by Saudi King Abdullah yesterday.
President Obama takes off a gold necklace called the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, the country's highest honor, for safekeeping after it was given to him by Saudi King Abdullah yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Saudi King Abdullah, right, presents President Bush, left, with the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit following their dinner at Riyadh Palace in January last year.
Saudi King Abdullah, right, presents President Bush, left, with the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit following their dinner at Riyadh Palace in January last year.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama shakes hands after receiving a gift from Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
President Barack Obama shakes hands after receiving a gift from Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Jun 4, 2009 12:51 PM CDT
That's the sound of crickets chirping.
Doctor-Zaius
Jun 4, 2009 12:48 PM CDT
<crickets chirping=""></crickets>
ABO_2012
Jun 4, 2009 11:51 AM CDT
Bush wasn't a muslim.

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