US and GCC nations to counter terror financing

US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Riyadh.

Israeli official troubled by US-Saudi arms deal
A senior Israeli Cabinet minister has voiced concern about the US's $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Yuval Steinitz, a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israeli officials will have to "hear the explanations" of the deal when President Donald Trump arrives in Israel on Monday.

Steinitz says it is crucial that Israel maintain its military edge over its Arab neighbours, despite warming ties with countries like Saudi Arabia.

Steinitz says, "This is not a country that we have diplomatic relations with" and that it "is still a hostile country and nobody knows what the future holds."

Steinitz says the deal is "definitely something that should trouble us."

Melania Trump visits Riyadh school

First lady Melania Trump paid a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on Sunday while her husband held a series of bilateral meetings with Arab leaders.

The first lady delivered Dr. Seuss books to a pre-school classroom, spoke to sixth graders on a soccer field and clapped along to a rendition of "Lean on me" in the school's library.

She was joined by the Saudi education minister.

It's the first lady's first visit to the country and her first experience representing the U.S. on a foreign stage.

US and GCC nations to counter terror financing
President Donald Trump is joining with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in an effort to counter the financing of terrorism.

White House adviser Dina Powell tells reporters that a memorandum of understanding signed by the US and GCC nations represents the "farthest reaching commitment" to not finance terrorist organisations.

She says it includes a pledge to prosecute the financing of terrorism, including individuals.

Along with the US, the participants include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The White House did not immediately release a text of the agreement.

Trump and the GCC leaders watched as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exchanged documents
Trump accepts invitation to visit Egypt
President Donald Trump is making plans for another foreign trip as he eases into his first.
Trump said Sunday he would accept an invitation made by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sissi to visit Egypt. Trump said the visit would happen before long.
Trump is also calling Sissi his "friend" and praising him for the release of US aid worker Aya Hijazi, who had been held captive for three years.
Through a translator, Sissi said Trump "had a unique personality" that allowed him "to do the impossible."
Trump smiled and said "I agree."
Trump was also overheard complimenting Sissi's shoes.
Trump says US military equipment is tops
President Donald Trump says that he and the Amir of Qatar will discuss the purchase of "lots of beautiful military equipment."

Trump and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, met on Sunday morning in Riyadh in a bilateral meeting.

The president said the two nations had been "friends for a long time." He added that "no one makes" military equipment like the United States and said a deal would create jobs for the US and security for Qatar.

The potion of the meeting open to reporters did not include any discussion of human rights in Qatar.
The nation has come under scrutiny for the harsh conditions faced by workers building the venues for the 2022 World Cup.
Trump says ties with Bahrain won't be strained anymore
Donald Trump said on Sunday Washington's relations with Bahrain were set to improve, after meeting with the king of the Gulf Arab state during a visit to Saudi Arabia.
"Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there won't be strain with this administration," Trump said during a photo session with Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa in Riyadh.
"We're going to have a very, very long-term relationship. I look forward to it very much - many of the same things in common."
Trump's White House decided this year to pursue a $5 billion sale to Bahrain of 19 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft and related equipment, which was held up last year by human rights concerns. 

• Saudi Arabia