King Salman to Trump: ‘Your visit strengthens our strategic cooperation’

Air Force One touched down in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Saturday as US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania visited the kingdom on a two-day trip that is expected to enhance strategic cooperation between both countries.

The president was greeted by an airport welcome ceremony before having a brief coffee meeting with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman in a reception room at King Khalid International Airport.

He later went to the al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh where he was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal by King Salman.

Trump is set to attend three summits in Riyadh, including an Arab-Islamic-US Summit called for by King Salman, in what is his first foreign trip as president.

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The first summit will be between Saudi Arabia and the United States, followed by the Gulf Cooperation Council and the US, in which historical relations will be discussed on the basis of partnership and tolerance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The three summits, under the slogan ‘Together We Prevail’ aims to reaffirm shared commitment to global security, deep economic partnerships and constructive political and cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US.

Trump will hold talks with leaders in the ultra-conservative kingdom later Saturday and is to give a speech on "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam" to some 50 Arab and Muslim leaders on Sunday.

He is accompanied by White House spokesman Sean Spicer, economic adviser Gary Cohn and security adviser Dina Powell.

Trump's daughter and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump and Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner exited from the rear of the plane, holding hands as they walked across the tarmac.

(Photos: AFP, Al Arabiya, Twitter)