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To Obamas with love: Diamonds, rubies and olive oil!

Last updated on: January 21, 2011 08:01 IST

US President Barack Obama holds a gift he received from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah during a meeting at the King's farm outside Riyadh

In his first year as United States President, Barack Obama, his family and and staff were showered with jewellery, ornaments and rare books worth more than $300,000 (Rs 1.3 crore) from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah.

The king is by far the most generous foreign leader, gifting Obama, his wife and daughters nearly $190,000 (Rs 86.5 lakh) in luxury gems, a news report in Dubai has said.

A ruby and diamond jewellery set, given by the king to Michelle Obama, was worth $132,000 (Rs 60 lakh).

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Saudi King gifts diamonds worth Rs 90 lakh to the First Family

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First lady Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia

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, an Arabian Business report said quoting documents released by the US Federal Register.

Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, each received diamond earrings and necklaces worth more than $7,000 (Rs 3.18 lakh) .

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 (Rs 2.27 lakh and $9,000 (Rs 4.09 lakh).

Berlo showers Obamas with watches, crystals

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Obama greets Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Next in line was Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose presents of watches, silk ties, a crystal table and candlesticks were worth just under $33,000 (Rs 15 lakh) or less than 10 per cent of the Saudi haul.

Hu presents Rs 9-lakh family portrait to Obama

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Chinese President Hu Jintao gave Obama a "framed and matted fine silk embroidery depicting a portrait study of the First Family," valued at $20,000 (Rs 9.1 lakh), the register said.

Britain Queen's gift worth a mere Rs 35K!

Last updated on: January 21, 2011 08:01 IST

Obama and his wife Michelle pose for a photograph with Britain's Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace

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 (Rs 35,000).

Ghana's first lady, Ernestina Naadu Mills, gifted Michelle Obama a Backes and Strauss watch, crafted in "18 carat gold with diamonds and leather."

Palestine's olive oil bottle the cheapest gift in federal register!

Last updated on: January 21, 2011 08:01 IST

Obama with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offered the US leader $521 (Rs 23,200) in gifts, including the least expensive item listed by the federal register: a $75 (Rs 3,400) bottle of olive oil.

All the presents are handed over to the National Archives as US law bars any government official from receiving a present from a foreign government.

Obama and others accepted the gifts because "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to the donor and US government," the register said.