Trump told supporters Tuesday that Saudi Arabia and its King would not last "two
weeks" in power without American military support and appeared to call on the
country to pay more for its own defense, the Arabic-language al-Ray al-Youm
reported on Saturday.
"We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they're rich? And I love the King ...
King Salman but I said 'King, we're protecting you. You might not be there for
two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military," Trump said.
The newspaper wrote that international observers are surprised at Riyadh's
continued silence on Trump's insulting comments.
It added that the US president's remarks are considered as a slap across the
face of the Saudi army and admission of Iran's hegemony and power.
Trump's first official overseas trip as President was to Saudi Arabia, where he
gave a speech to scores of Muslim leaders.
During that trip, Trump signed a nearly $110 billion defense deal with King
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which signaled a renewed US commitment to its
alliance with Saudi Arabia. Then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the deal
was part of a $350 billion package of economic and defense investments between
the two countries over the next 10 years.
The Trump administration has also defended Saudi Arabia's involvement in the war
in Yemen which has killed over 17,500 Yemeni people, despite repeated criticism
from the United Nations and international rights groups.
Source: Fars