US, Saudis approve nuclear deal, F-35 jets sale: White House

US President Donald Trump has confirmed he will approve the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

The United States and Saudi Arabia signed agreements on civil nuclear energy and the sale of cutting-edge US F-35 warplanes during a visit Tuesday by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the White House said.

The two countries ratified a "joint declaration" on civil nuclear energy that "builds the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership" in line with "strong nonproliferation standards," the White House said in a statement.

In addition, President Donald Trump approved a "major defense sale package," which includes future deliveries of F-35 advanced American fighter jets.

Earlier Trump, 79, pulled out all the stops to impress Prince Mohammed, 40, giving him a flyby featuring the coveted, US-made F-35 stealth fighters, and thundering cannon fire.

The flattery continued inside the Oval Office, as Trump called the Saudi a "very good friend" and hailed him as being "incredible, in terms of human rights, and everything else."

The two countries later signed a host of deals to deepen their cooperation.

The White House said they ratified a "civil nuclear energy cooperation deal" for a multi-billion-dollar partnership between the US and the kingdom that would last decades.

Trump also approved a "major defense sale package" which includes "future deliveries" of F-35s. They also agreed to share AI technology "while protecting US technology from foreign influence."

The pomp continued later with a gala dinner hosted by First Lady Melania Trump. Portuguese soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia, will also be at the White House, a US official told AFP.

- Business interests -

Trump said he had also pushed Prince Mohammed to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, as he seeks to turn the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza into a longer-lasting regional peace.

The Saudi said he wanted to join the accords -- Trump's signature diplomatic achievement during his first term -- but first needed a "clear path" to Palestinian statehood.

Prince Mohammed has fostered close ties with Trump and his family over the years, including through investment pledges to the property billionaire-turned-US president.

Trump denied any conflicts of interest, a day after a Saudi developer announced a new hotel partnership in the Maldives with the Trump Organization, which is run by his sons.

"I have nothing to do with the family business. I have left," Trump said.