Source: Associated Press
By ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI and AYA BATRAWY
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Monday touted an upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and heads of state from across Muslim-majority nations as the start of a new relationship that will strengthen global security.
Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia this weekend for his first overseas trip as president, which will also include stops in Israel and the Vatican.
The kingdom, in an effort to show its reach and convening powers, has invited dozens of heads of state from across the Middle East, Africa and Asia to a summit with Trump on Sunday. Some local media reports say more than 50 top dignitaries were invited by the Saudi monarch to attend.
Trump and Salman will be meeting for the first time in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for bilateral talks aimed at repairing relations that were strained under the Obama administration. Saudi Arabia views Trump’s visit as a way to shore up support among its allies and with Washington against its rival Iran.
Categories: America, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, The Muslim Times, USA