Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Washington: A senior White House official said on Monday that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled for an official working meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on November 18.
The encounter is being framed as an important juncture in US–Saudi relations, with leaders expected to cover a range of regional and strategic topics — notably a potential US–Saudi defence arrangement and Riyadh’s prospective accession to the Abraham Accords.
President Trump has encouraged Saudi Arabia to normalise ties with Israel, following agreements already signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in 2020. Saudi officials, however, have insisted that progress toward a Palestinian state remains a prerequisite for formal recognition.
Mr. Trump has expressed optimism about the outcome, saying he believes the Saudis will ultimately join the accords.
Media reports indicate talks are under way about a possible defence pact that could be announced during the Crown Prince’s visit, potentially offering Riyadh stronger US security guarantees and broader access to advanced American military technology.
Washington and Riyadh have sustained a long-standing partnership, with the US providing security and arms support in return for energy cooperation. During Mr. Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, the two sides concluded a major $142 billion arms package.
The White House meeting is likely to shape the trajectory of US–Saudi cooperation as regional geopolitics continue to evolve.
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