Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi-U.S. Deal to Confront Iran’s Role in ‘Undermining Regional Stability’ | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55366529
Caption:

U.S. President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up to reporters as he waits to speak by phone with Saudi King Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst


Riyadh, Washington- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and U.S. President Donald Trump asserted during a telephone conversation on Sunday the need to confront Iran’s role in undermining security and stability in the region and to establish “safe zones” in Syria and Yemen.

According to the Saudi new agency SPA, the views of the two leaders were identical on the files that were discussed during the call, including the fight against terrorism, extremism, and their finance.

Both men also agreed on formulating the appropriate mechanisms for confronting those who seek to undermine security and stability in the region and interfere in the internal affairs of other states.

For its part, the White House said on Sunday the leaders also “agreed on the importance of strengthening joint efforts to fight the spread of radical Islamic terrorism” and working jointly on enforcing the Iran nuclear deal and addressing “Iran’s destabilizing regional activities.”

“The President also raised the idea of supporting safe zones for the refugees displaced by the conflict in the region, and the Crown Prince agreed to support this initiative,” the White House readout of the call said.

A senior Saudi source told Reuters that Trump and King Salman spoke for over an hour by telephone , agreeing to step up counter-terrorism and military cooperation and enhance economic relations.

The source said both countries share views about Iranian policies in the region, suggesting Trump agreed with Riyadh’s suspicion of what it sees as Tehran’s growing influence in the Arab world.

During the phone call, the Saudi King and Trump also discussed the historic relations between the two friendly countries and the strategic partnership between them, stressing the importance of improving economic, security and military cooperation.

The King presented an invitation to the U.S. President to visit Saudi Arabia. The president also invited the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to visit the U.S.

Separately, Trump made a telephone call with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Both men explored ways of enhancing bilateral ties of friendship and co-operation, UAE’s news agency WAM reported Sunday.

Meanwhile, chaos continued at several U.S. airports after Trump’s order to put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the U.S. and temporarily banning travelers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries.