US President Barack Obama on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s crown-princes ahead of a summit with Persian Gulf countries.

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's crown-princes ahead of a summit with Persian Gulf countries.

"This gives us an opportunity to discuss some of the bilateral issues, including the crisis in Yemen and how we can build on the cease-fire that’s been established to restore a process for an inclusive, legitimate government inside of Yemen", Obama said at a press conference following the meeting.

The US president said that in his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the three discussed some of the issues on the agenda at the summit to be held later Wednesday at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

Obama also underscored that the administration's work with Saudi Arabia on counterterrorism has been critical for "maintaining stability in the region" and "protecting the American people".

Although it's no secret the number one topic of discussion at the summit will be "Iran's dominating presence in the Gulf region", Obama hinted that the fight against the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group - also dubbed as Daesh - in Iraq and Syria will also be discussed.

Speaking during the press conference, bin Nayef voiced cooperation with the US in overcoming the challenges facing the region.

"We look forward to, Insha’Allah [God willing], to working with you to overcome the challenges and to bring about calm and stability in the region", he told Obama.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz last week announced that he would skip the summit although he previously agreed to attend.