Saudi FM Upbeat on Peace Prospects

Arab leaders ramped up expectations for President Donald Trump’s peacemaking trip to the Mideast, saying on Sunday that he can do what no other U.S. president has succeeded in doing to end the conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir proclaimed the “kingdom’s optimism that President Trump, with a new approach and determination, can bring a conclusion to this long conflict. He certainly has the vision, and we believe he has the strength and the decisiveness. And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands prepared to work with the United States in order to bring about peace between Israelis and Palestinians and Israelis and Arabs.”

Jubeir made the statement at a press conference held jointly with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. He said he was speaking on behalf of King Salman, based on conversations the latter had with Pres. Trump.

Jubeir said Pres. Trump and King Salman had a “very, very good and very wide-ranging conversation,” according to The Huffington Post.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sounded almost euphoric at a meeting with Trump in Riyadh.

Sisi described Trump as “a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.”

As the participants laughed, Trump responded, “I agree,” adding that he was having “very, very important talks” with Sisi and hoped to visit Cairo in the near future, as well.

However, no details were given in Riyadh about how the American president intends to do the impossible.