RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister yesterday denied reports that a meeting took place between Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli officials.
“I have seen Press reports about a purported meeting between the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. No such meeting occurred.
The only officials present were American and Saudi,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud tweeted. The Crown Prince met Pompeo on Sunday in NEOM, the planned smart megacity on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
“During the meeting, they reviewed friendship ties, areas of bilateral co-operation and ways to enhance them, and discussed developments in the Middle East region and relevant efforts,” SPA reported.
Upon arrival in the kingdom, Pompeo said he will discuss American-Saudi efforts in counter terrorism, deterring Iran’s “malign influence” and expanding bilateral trade relationship.