Trump in Saudi capital for first foreign tour

Trump arrived shortly before 9:50am local time his wife Melania, who dressed conservatively in black, as the pair walked side-by-side along a red carpet where they met Saudi King Salman. 

The president's visit coincides with a Muslim summit where Trump will speak on "hopes for a peaceful vision of Islam" to some 50 Arab and Muslim leaders on Sunday.

The president was to be accompanied by the first lady, First Daughter and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump and son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner on the first leg of his tour. 

He is also set to unveil a significant arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

Trump will also visit Jerusalem and the Vatican in the coming days.

On Saturday, King Salman spoke to the kingdom's two powerful crown princes later on Saturday, before giving a speech on Islam to leaders of Muslim countries on Sunday.

For Riyadh the visit is an opportunity to rebuild ties with a key ally, which were strained under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.

Saudi Arabia is looking to build a powerful regional coalition against its regional rival Iran with the US.