US President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, with the kingdom’s de facto ruler aiming to bolster his global standing after the 2018 killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and strengthen ties with Washington.
Making his first visit to the White House in more than seven years, the crown prince received a grand ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn. Trump presided over the event, which included a military honour guard, a cannon salute and a flyover by US warplanes.
"We have an extremely respected man in the Oval Office today, a friend of mine for a long time, a very good friend of mine," Trump said while seated beside the Saudi leader.
"I'm very proud of the job he's done. What he's done is incredible, in terms of human rights, and everything else," he added.
Addressing the Khashoggi case, Trump said the Crown Prince “knew nothing about it” and claimed of Khashoggi that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman.”
When a reporter questioned him on the issue, Trump bristled, calling her “fake news” and scolding her for raising the topic in front of the visiting leader.
"A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don't have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that," Trump said.
His remarks stand in contrast to the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies.
Mohammed bin Salman called the incident “painful” and emphasized the steps taken since.
"It's been painful for us in Saudi Arabia. We've did all the right steps of investigation etc. on Saudi Arabia, and we've improved our system to be sure that nothing happened, like that. And it's painful and it's a huge mistake. And we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again," said the crown prince.
U.S. intelligence had concluded that bin Salman approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While the crown prince denied ordering the operation, he acknowledged responsibility as Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader.
The warm reception in Washington marks a significant step in the restoration of relations strained by Khashoggi’s murder.
Trump greeted Mohammed bin Salman with a smile and handshake on the red carpet, surrounded by dozens of military personnel. The crown prince’s motorcade was escorted up the South Drive by a U.S. Army mounted honor guard. After turning their gaze skyward for the fighter jet flyover, Trump led his guest inside.
The two leaders briefly chatted as Trump showed him the presidential portraits outside the Oval Office before beginning their formal discussions.
Across the day of White House diplomacy, Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to hold talks with Trump in the Oval Office, join him for lunch in the Cabinet Room and attend a formal black-tie dinner in the evening, lending the visit many of the elements of a state occasion. U.S. and Saudi flags lined the lamp posts outside the White House.
*With Agency Inputs
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