Obama visits Saudi Arabia amid tensions

US President Barack Obama has left Washington, DC for the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where he will meet with the Saudi king at a time of immense tensions between their two countries.

Obama will arrive in Riyadh on Wednesday to meet with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and sit with leaders from [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is on the trip with Obama.

The visit comes at a time when the 71-year-old alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia is under strain, with some of the frustration spilling over into public comments on both sides.