Saudi crown prince and US national security adviser discuss ‘semi-final’ version of security deal
Saudi crown prince, US national security adviser discuss 'semi-final' version of security deal
Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and United States President Joe Biden's top aide have reportedly held talks around a "semi-final" version of a deal that is expected to strengthen the security ties.
The meeting involved discussions between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday (May 19).
Sullivan arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza.
"The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised... were discussed," SPA said.
The meeting between the officials also involved talks around "what is being worked on between the two sides on the Palestinian issue to find a credible path towards a two-state solution", along with endeavours to put an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and streamline the distribution of humanitarian aid in the region.
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The Biden administration has actively chased the 'mega-deal' where Washington has agreed to give benefits to Saudi Arabia including a defence pact and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme with uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for providing first-ever recognition of Israel.
Earlier in the month of September, Prince Mohammed in an interview with the US network Fox News said that "every day we get closer" to a deal to normalise ties. This was before Hamas launched unprecedented attacks against Israel.
After the Palestinian militant group's Oct 7 assault, the US had accused Hamas of derailing the efforts to normalise ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
"It wouldn't be a surprise that part of the motivation may have been to disrupt efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel together, along with other countries that may be interested in normalising relations with Israel," the US Secretary of State had said.
(With inputs from agencies)