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Trump heads for Saudi Arabia on first foreign tour

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Trump heads for Saudi Arabia on first foreign tour

The US president flies to Saudi Arabia on the first leg of his trip to the Middle East and Europe.His eight-day trip will also take in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Brussels, the Vatican, and Sicily. It comes as Mr Trump faces uproar at home following his sacking of FBI director James Comey. He has strongly criticised the decision to appoint a special counsel to oversee an inquiry into alleged Russian influence on the US election. The trip takes in the capitals of the three major monotheistic religions – Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Advice for Trump: ‘Say as little as possible’ How will homebody Trump cope abroad? Hours before Mr Trump’s arrival, Saudi air defence units said they had brought down a rocket south of the capital, Riyadh, that was fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels. Saudi warplanes are reported to have carried out retaliatory strikes on targets close to the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Saudi pride and perception of prejudice – Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, in Riyadh President Trump’s Saudi royal hosts have pulled out all the stops for this visit. They are lavishing him with an extravagant welcome not shown to his predecessor, Barack Obama, whom they felt was soft on their rival, Iran. Many Saudis are immensely proud that, despite his mounting troubles at home, the US president has chosen their country as the first stop on his inaugural overseas tour. But pressed further, a lot of ordinary Saudis will voice their dislike of US policies in the region and their conviction that the US, and by extension the West, is intrinsically anti-Islamic.Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media captionSaudi Arabia’s foreign minister: Donald Trump’s visit is a ‘coup for peace and coexistence’ On Sunday President Trump will try to address these concerns in a speech to more than 40 leaders of Muslim nations in which he will call for a united stand against extremism and intolerance. Some have already commentated that Donald Trump is an unusual choice to deliver such a message but for now, Saudi officials are giving him the benefit of the doubt. What’s behind Donald Trump’s first visit? Trump flies into geopolitical minefield Riyadh – Saturday-Sunday 20-21 May

Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media captionTrump’s first trip: What’s on the agenda in Saudi Arabia? Mr Trump will attend the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh and speak about his “hopes of a peaceful vision of Islam”, in what aides say will be a speech the president hopes will resonate worldwide and express “a common vision of peace, progress and prosperity”. Mr Trump caused controversy during his campaign by calling for Muslims to be temporarily banned from entering the US over security concerns. Legislation aimed at restricting travel from several Muslim-majority countries remains tied up in the US courts. The summit agenda is expected to focus on combating Islamist militants and the growing regional influence of Iran. Mr Trump has been a fierce critic of the Iran deal which eased sanctions in return for a curb on its nuclear activities. One leader who will not be attending the summit will be Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir. President Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges and the US was reported to be unhappy about his planned attendance. Unlike his predecessor, Barack Obama, Mr Trump is not expected to highlight human rights during his trip. And aside from the formal diplomacy, US country music star Toby Keith will perform a free concert in Riyadh on Saturday alongside Saudi singer Rabeh Sager. Toby Keith performs during the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards at The Forum on May 1, 2016 in Inglewood, California.Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image caption It is not clear if Toby Keith will perform some of his alcohol-themed material Saudi Arabia, which enforces a strict interpretation of Islam including a total ban on alcohol, is perhaps an unusual venue for Keith – whose hits include I Love This Bar, Whiskey Girl, and Drunk Americans. Saturday’s concert is open only to men aged over 21, who are required to dress in traditional Saudi tunics.

May 20, 20171:02 am Read more

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