Saudi deputy crown prince meets with Trump

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday in Washington DC to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and regional issues of mutual interest.

Trump welcomed the Deputy Crown Prince to the Oval Office, as both countries expect to improve ties.

Trump’s 50-plus days in office have shown dramatic uptick in US action against Al-Qaeda’s Yemen offshoot -- AQAP.

Trump has expressed hope that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies can be helpful across a range of issues, from creating safe zones in Syria to solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Also read: The 7 things Trump’s administration needs to know about Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Riyadh is also seen by the White House as pivotal in any effort to constrain Iran’s influence across the Middle East.

The White House announced on Monday that Trump will receive the Deputy Crown Prince on Tuesday.

Mohammed bin Salman will be the first Saudi official to visit the White House since Trump has enetered presidency.

These will be the first talks between Saudi Arabia and the United States under the new White House administration.

محمد بن سلمان و ترمب

Also read: Saudi Arabia’s deputy crown prince heads to Washington for Trump meeting