Obama nets $300,000 in Saudi diplomatic gifts

"...Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah showered US President Barack Obama, his family and staff with more than $300,000 worth of jewellery, ornaments and rare books during his first year in office. The monarch of the oil-rich Gulf state was by far the most generous foreign leader, according to documents released by the US Federal Register, gifting Obama, his wife and daughters nearly $190,000 in luxury gems. A ruby and diamond jewellery set, given by the king to Michelle Obama, was worth $132,000. Among the gifts Obama received from King Abdullah was a marble ornament adorned with miniature gold palm trees and camels, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre brass clock. Daughters Sasha and Malia Obama each received diamond earrings and necklaces worth more than $7,000. Top White House aides were also on the receiving end of King Abdullah’s generosity, collecting watches, bracelets, cufflinks and pens valued at between $5,000 and $9,000........The Queen of England favoured more modest presents for the first family, opting for framed portraits of herself and her husband, worth a mere $775.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offered the US leader $521 in gifts, including the least expensive item listed by the Federal Register: a $75 bottle of olive oil....."