White House Prepares for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is set to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week, an event marked by grandeur typical of state visits, despite not being an official state visit. The crown prince's day on Tuesday will commence with an arrival ceremony on the expansive South Lawn, followed by a greeting on the South Portico of the White House.President Trump will welcome him in the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting, after which both leaders will formalize several economic and defense agreements during a signing event and lunch in the Cabinet Room. In the evening, an East Room dinner will be hosted by First Lady Melania Trump.Although the visit is classified as a working visit rather than an official state visit, the ceremonial elements reflect significant U.S.-Saudi relations.The next day, a meeting with CEOs is scheduled at the Kennedy Center as part of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council's endeavors. Although Trump's attendance is not confirmed, it is expected.This visit will be the crown prince's first trip to the U.S. since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, a matter that has cast a long shadow over his international relations. U.S. intelligence reports suggest that he was involved in the incident, but he has denied these accusations. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have sought to repair ties with Saudi Arabia since the incident.Trump has described Crown Prince Mohammed as a close friend, emphasizing their warm relationship and mutual interests in strengthening ties between the two nations.