Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy this month

US president's first foreign trip to include meeting with Pope Francis and participation at NATO summit in Brussels

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump will make stops to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Italy on his first trip overseas at the end of May.

The trip aims to bring together "all the different religions" to fight intolerance and radicalism, senior Trump advisor Jared Kushner told reporters during a briefing.

National security advisor General H. R. McMaster said the trip would allow Trump to demonstrate that "America First (policy) is fully compatible with American leadership in the world".

A White House statement said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel would help strengthen U.S. partnership with both allies and counter the threats posed by Iran.

Trump will be visiting Palestine as well, where he would seek to advance the peace process and "unlock the potential of the Palestinian economy".

The U.S. president will then head to Italy, where he will meet Pope Francis and President Sergio Mattarella.

Trump will cap off his tour with previously announced visits to Brussels, Belgium for a NATO summit and Sicily, Italy for a Group of Seven meeting.

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