King's US absence 'signals discontent'

Discontent with US policy toward Iran is behind the last-minute pullout by Saudi King Salman from a summit with US President Barack Obama this week, analysts say.

Obama invited Salman along with five other Gulf rulers to the White House on Wednesday, followed by a retreat the following day at Camp David.

He hopes to shore up wavering trust while Washington tries to reach a deal to curb the nuclear program of Shiite Iran, the regional rival to Sunni-dominated Gulf monarchies.