Saudi Crown Prince's US tour important for Arabs, UAE says

UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said the visit of Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to Washington carried an important significance to Arabs.

“The visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington carries an important Arab dimension,” tweeted Dr Anwar Gargash late on Monday.

“In a region torn by axes and regional interventions, the Arabs’ political weight is returning with a strength through the crown prince’s presence and Saudi Arabia’s position.”

Crown Prince Mohammed arrived in the US on Monday to begin a marathon tour of the country with a stop on Tuesday at the White House, where he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump and other US officials.

Read more: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince starts US tour ‘at vital time for region’

The Crown Prince, accompanied by a large delegation, will visit seven cities in 20 days.

Dr Gargash said that that UAE was completely behind Saudi Arabia, which, he added: “Fills the region with hope and ambition and is for the good of the Arabs and their pride”.

Mohammed bin Salman, 32, known by his initials MBS, was named Crown Prince in June last year by his father, King Salman. This marks the first official visit to the US since he was named heir to the throne.

He announced early on an ambitious Vision 2030 initiative to build an economy less dependent on oil and to encourage Saudi women to be part of the country’s workforce.