Saudi crown prince will visit Trump on Nov 18, White House official says
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Mr Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) may also discuss a US-Saudi defence agreement.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be at the White House on Nov 18 for an official working visit with US President Donald Trump, a White House official said on Nov 3.
The visit comes as Mr Trump pushes Saudi Arabia to join the list of nations that have joined the Abraham Accords.
In 2020, Mr Trump reached deals with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco to normalise relations with Israel.
The Saudis have been hesitant to join in the absence of steps toward Palestinian statehood.
Mr Trump told CBS’ “60 Minutes” in an interview broadcast on Nov 2 that he believed the Saudis would ultimately join the accords.
Mr Trump and Prince Mohammed may also discuss a US-Saudi defence agreement.
The Financial Times reported two weeks ago that there were hopes the two countries could sign such an agreement during Prince Mohammed’s visit.
A senior Trump administration official told Reuters that “there are discussions about signing something when the crown prince comes, but details are in flux”.
The Saudis have sought formal US guarantees to defend the kingdom as well as access to more advanced US weaponry.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for US arms, and the two countries have maintained strong ties for decades based on an arrangement in which the kingdom delivers oil and Washington provides security.
During Mr Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May, the United States agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package
