Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Iran FMs to Meet in Beijing on Thursday

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will meet in Beijing on Thursday, sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The officials will meet to activate the agreement reached last month in China to restore diplomatic relations.

The sources said Thursday’s talks have been preceded by a series of three telephone calls between the FMs that tackled the future steps that will be taken between their countries in line with the landmark agreement that was brokered by China, as well as activate other deals between them.

Beijing was chosen for the meeting between the FMs as an extension of its positive role in mediating the agreement and facilitating communication between the Kingdom and Iran, said the sources.

On March 10, the countries agreed to restore ties that had been severed for seven years. They added that the deal will be implemented within 60 days.

They stressed respecting the sovereignty of countries and refraining from meddling in their internal affairs. They agreed to activate all joint deals between them, including cooperation in security, economic, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, youth and sports affairs.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were severed in wake of an attack on the Kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad in January 2016.



Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, US Ink Largest Defense Sales Agreement in History as Trump Visits Riyadh

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday the largest defense sales agreement in history, worth nearly early $142 billion, as President Donald Trump visited Riyadh.

The agreement will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment and services from over a dozen US defense firms, said a White House statement.

The sales that the US intends to complete fall into five broad categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.

The package also includes extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services, added the statement.

“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” it stressed.

“Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump’s leadership, and the package signed today, the largest defense cooperation deal in US history, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our partnership,” it said.

“The agreement opens the door for expanded US defense industry participation and long-term sustainment partnerships with Saudi entities.”

“The deepening United States-Saudi Arabia partnership reflects a joint vision for long-term prosperity and employment opportunities in both nations,” said the statement.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He was received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The leaders later chaired the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

They then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement and oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields.