President Trump chooses Saudia Arabia as his first overseas stop. (Photo: AP)

President Trump said his visit aims to cement friendships, build new partnerships, and solidify unity with the civilized world in the fight against terrorism.

This is the first time a US President has chosen Saudi Arabia as his first overseas destination. Trump’s decision surprised many people, given his rhetoric of “America first” and his attempts to restrict Muslim immigration. Despite anti-Muslim remarks during his Presidential campaign and his proposed travel ban on citizens from 6 Muslim countries, Trump was warmly welcomed by Saudi Arabia and theSunni Muslim community. During talks with King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President Trump acknowledged the long-standing friendship between the US and Saudi Arabia and said he wants to make their ties even closer. In a speech before leaders of 50 Muslim countries, President Trump said the US wants to strengthen cooperation in the war against the Islamic State. 

In Israel, Trump urged President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to revive the Middle East peace talks which have been stalled since 2014. He asked both sides to take trust-building steps by establishing two industrial parks and opening round the clock a bridge linking Jordan and the West Bank.  

President Trump will deliver a public address at the Vatican and later attend a NATO meeting in Brussels and the upcoming G7 summit in Italy.