RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) –
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – The Latest on President Donald Trump’s first trip abroad (all times local) : 4: 15 a.m. President Donald Trump is getting the kind of royal treatment in Saudi Arabia that must be a welcome change from the tense atmosphere he left behind in Washington. In the capital of Riyadh, Saudi King Salman greeted Trump warmly and later presented him with the kingdom’s highest civilian honor, a gold medal, during a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court. Trump rewarded his Saudi hosts with a $110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements. Trump spent most of his first day abroad shuttling between opulent palace ballrooms with the king. The two were overheard discussing natural resources and arms, and Salman bemoaned the destruction caused by Syria’s civil war. Trump is on a five-stop swing that will take him to the Middle East and Europe. ___ 11: 40 p.m. President Donald Trump is basking in a royal welcome in Saudi Arabia, a far cry from the contentious atmosphere he left behind in Washington. In the capital of Riyadh, Saudi King Salman greeted Trump warmly and later presented him with the kingdom’s highest civilian honor, a gold medal, during a ceremony at the grand Saudi Royal Court. Trump rewarded his Saudi hosts with a $110 billion arms package aimed at bolstering Saudi security and a slew of business agreements. Trump spent most of his first day abroad shuttling between opulent palace ballrooms with the king. The two were overheard discussing natural resources and arms, and Salman bemoaned the destruction caused by Syria’s civil war. Trump is on a five-stop swing that will take him to the Middle East and Europe. ___ 9: 15 p.m. President Donald Trump briefly joined Saudi King Salman in a traditional male-only sword dance before a state dinner in his honor. Swaying side to side, the president stood shoulder to shoulder with Saudis for the traditional dance, which includes drumming and singing. The dance took place outside the King Abdulaziz Historical Center where First Lady Melania Trump, his son-in law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka will join Trump to dine with the Saudi king and other senior Saudi royals. The menu is to include an array of dishes, including steak and ketchup alongside the lamb and hefty portions of rice. He was greeted by the Saudi king and a long red carpet upon arrival to the capital, Riyadh, Saturday morning for his first overseas visit in office. ___ 7: 50 p.m. U. S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia is to curb any threats to the region posed by Iran. Tillerson says a series of military and private sector deals agreed to by both sides sends a « strong message to our common enemies. » The U. S. and Saudi Arabia see Iran as a common enemy. Trump has been greeted warmly in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the opening leg of his first international trip, primarily due to Trump’s tough talk on Iran. Tillerson commented at a news briefing with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir. Al-Jubeir borrowed a Trump phrase when he said stronger U. S. ties will allow the region to « drain the swamps from which extremism and terrorism emanates. » ___ 7: 35 p.m. U. S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called upon Iran’s president to end all support and financing of terrorist groups now that he has won re-election. Speaking Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Tillerson said President Hassan Rouhani now has the opportunity to end Iran’s role in supporting « destabilizing forces that exist in this region. » He also expressed his hope that Iran ends its ballistic missile testing and « restores the rights of Iranians to freedom of speech, to freedom of organization so Iranians can live the life they deserve. » He would not comment on his expectation for the outcome of Friday’s election in Iran, only saying that « if Rouhani wanted to change Iran’s relationship with the rest of the world those are the things he could do. » Tillerson was speaking at a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. ___ 7: 20 p.m. U. S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says that he will likely speak to his Iranian counterpart « at the right time. » Speaking in Riyadh at a joint briefing with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir Saturday, Tillerson said he has no plans to talk to Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Tillerson and al-Jubeir criticized Iran for its support of foreign fighters in countries like Yemen, Iraq and Syria, and its nuclear ambitions. Asked if he would call or meet with Zarif, Tillerson said, he would « not shut out anyone who wants to talk » or have a productive conversation. He added, « in all likelihood, we will talk at the right time. » ___ 6: 35 p.m. President Donald Trump says the first day of his maiden international trip has been « tremendous. » Trump was largely kept away from reporters during a busy day of meetings and ceremonies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But late in the day, he said deals the U. S. government and private sector reached would lead to « tremendous investments » in the United States. He says the deals will also create « jobs, jobs, jobs. » Trump has agreed to a defense cooperation deal with the Saudis, pledging $110 billion effective immediately and up to $350 billion over 10 years. There are some private sector agreements, too. The military package includes tanks, combat ships, missile defense systems, radar and communications, and cybersecurity technology. ___ 5: 12 p.m. President Donald Trump and Saudi King Salman signed a series of agreements cementing their countries’ military and economic partnerships. The two leaders signed a joint vision agreement Saturday at the Saudi Royal Court and sealed it with a handshake. The agreements also include a military sales deal of about $110 billion, effective immediately, plus another $350 billion over the next 10 years. The two countries also announced a defense cooperation agreement and private sector agreements Saturday that are intended to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the U. S. defense industry. Trump has been tending to official business on his first day overseas as president. 4: 30 p.m. President Donald Trump will attend a signing ceremony with Saudi Arabia’s leadership to cement a number of defense and business agreements. The White House says the agreements include military sales of about $100 billion, effective immediately, plus another $350 billion over the next 10 years. The package of defense equipment and services are aimed to boost security in the Arab Gulf region in the face of Iranian aggression. It is also meant to bolster the kingdom’s ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region, « reducing the burden on the U. S. military to conduct those operations. » The two countries will also sign a defense cooperation agreement and private sector agreements Saturday which are intended to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the U. S. defense industry. ___ 2: 24 p.m. President Donald Trump is receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor from Saudi King Salman. The king placed the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud around Trump’s neck at a ceremony at the Royal Court in Riyadh. The host of the event declared that Trump was being honored for « his quest to enhance security and stability in the region and around the world. » The honor has also been bestowed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama. Trump was joined by first lady Melania Trump and several senior White House aides who were interspersed with Saudi officials throughout a grand ballroom. ___ 1: 53 p.m. President Donald Trump is arriving for his official welcome to Saudi Arabia. More than a dozen horses flanked the presidential limousine Saturday as Trump was slowly driven to the Royal Court in Riyadh. Trumpets played and soldiers stood at attention as the president walked in. As he arrived, Trump told the king the spectacle was « very impressive.
