US President Donald Trump departed from the White House on Monday for a four-day visit to the Gulf, where he will aim to bolster economic ties, push for a ceasefire in Gaza and advance nuclear talks with Iran.
Mr Trump pumped his fist in the air shortly before he departed from Joint Base Andrews aboard Air Force One. He will briefly stop in Suffolk, England, to refuel before landing in Riyadh early on Tuesday.
“I'm about to depart on a historic visit … to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates,” he said at a press conference.
Though Mr Trump is expected to focus on securing billion-dollar investments from Gulf nations, the visit comes amid several regional and global conflicts.
After a fragile ceasefire in Gaza collapsed more than two months ago, Israel has intensified its daily strikes on the coastal strip and blocked the entry of all food, medicine and other supplies, worsening the humanitarian situation in the battered territory.
Trump's 2017 visit to the Middle East – in pictures
On Monday, US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who is also an Israeli soldier, was released by Hamas, possibly setting the stage for an imminent ceasefire.
“I'm very happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who, until recently, most thought was no longer living, thought to be dead, is going to be released in about two hours,” Mr Trump said ahead of his release, adding that he is the only living American citizen still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The war started on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel responded by launching a massive military campaign in Gaza, where more than 52,800 Palestinians have been killed in daily strikes and much of the territory has been laid to waste.
Qatar, Mr Trump's second stop, has been mediating ceasefire efforts alongside the US and Egypt.
Gulf leaders are expected to press the US President for answers on his vision for a postwar Gaza, and for clarity regarding Israel's conduct.
Mr Trump is nearly four months into his second term in the White House. Last time he was president eight years ago, he also went to the Middle East on his first trip abroad.
But unlike last time, he is not expected to visit Israel, drawing speculation of tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Last week, the Trump administration said it is working on a “responsible” plan to ensure aid can enter without it ending up “in the hands of terrorists”. Israel would not be involved in food distribution under the new plan.
Mr Trump also wants to advance talks that would curb Iran's nuclear programme.
Striking a friendlier tone than in past comments, he said Tehran was “very reasonable” in the negotiations.
“We want Iran to be wealthy and wonderful and happy and great, but they can't have nuclear weapons, very simple,” he said.
The latest round of talks concluded in Iran on Sunday, with Tehran saying discussions were “difficult but useful”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dubai Women's Tour teams
Agolico BMC
Andy Schleck Cycles-Immo Losch
Aromitalia Basso Bikes Vaiano
Cogeas Mettler Look
Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport
Hitec Products – Birk Sport
Kazakhstan National Team
Kuwait Cycling Team
Macogep Tornatech Girondins de Bordeaux
Minsk Cycling Club
Pannonia Regional Team (Fehérvár)
Team Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Team Ciclotel
UAE Women’s Team
Under 23 Kazakhstan Team
Wheel Divas Cycling Team
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SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
