| QatarÕs Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh |
President Donald Trump will attempt a reset on Sunday with the Islamic world.
Trump’s afternoon speech at an Arab Islamic American Summit will include appeals for Muslims to unite against the threat of Islamist militants.
Trump started his day in individual meetings with Arab leaders.
He praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, telling him, “You have done a tremendous job under trying circumstances.” Trump promised to schedule a trip to Egypt soon.
Separately he told Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani they would discuss “lots of beautiful military equipment because nobody makes it like the United States.”
In a meeting with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and that despite previous tensions, “there won’t be strain with this administration.” The king lauded the relationship and said it had led to “great stability in the region and prosperity.”
Trump also has individual meetings scheduled with the leaders of Kuwait and Oman.
The president on Sunday also will convene the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council as part of his effort to counter Iran with a NATO-like Arab force.
Trump and the leaders will establish a center aimed at cracking down on the ability of Islamic militants to spread their message.
Trump’s Riyadh visit kicks off his first presidential trip abroad, with Saudi Arabia the first stop on a nine-day journey through the Middle East and Europe.
At a royal banquet on Saturday night, Trump walked into a colorful spectacle: Men in ceremonial dress and carrying swords chanted in unison to beating drums in a courtyard. Trump, clearly enjoying himself, smiled and swayed, even seeming to dance a little at the center of the group.