Saudi crown prince departs Riyadh for two-week US visit

By Mohamed Fahd

RIYADH (AA) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman departed Riyadh on Monday for a two-week visit to the U.S., according to a statement issued by the Saudi Royal Court.

Bin Salman’s visit will be his first to the U.S. since his appointment as crown prince last June.

While in the U.S., Bin Salman is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump -- along with a host of U.S. officials -- to discuss bilateral ties and “issues of common concern”, according to a Royal Court statement.

In remarks posted on the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Twitter account, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the crown prince would spend two weeks in the U.S., during which he plans to visit seven American cities.

According to al-Jubeir, Bin Salman will hold several political, economic and development-related meetings during his visit “within the context of the two countries’ distinguished bilateral relations”.

The crown prince is expected to hold talks with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.