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RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet US President Donald Trump during a three-day visit to Washington next month, a source close to the government told AFP on Tuesday.
The crown prince will arrive on November 17 and discuss political, economic and security files with Trump the following day, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The crown prince’s trip was revealed days into a fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by Trump that was warmly welcomed by Saudi Arabia.
Some media reports suggest Saudi Arabia is hoping for a US security agreement after Trump’s executive order this month pledging to defend its neighbour Qatar from attacks.
Before the Gaza war broke out in October 2023, Saudi Arabia held tentative talks with the US on normalising ties with Israel in return for security and nuclear energy pledges.
However, Riyadh halted talks on the so-called “mega-deal” as the war took hold, insisting it would not recognise Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state. AFP
