PM won’t hold bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not be holding any bilateral meetings in Saudi Arabia during his two-day visit, the Foreign Office clarified on Saturday.

In response to media reports about the possibility of the premier’s bilateral meetings at the Islamic summit in Riyadh, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ‘full agenda of the half-day summit’, does not permit sideline bilateral meetings.

Earlier, it was reported that the prime minister will depart for Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit on Sunday to take part in the Arab Islamic American Summit; with bilateral meetings with the Saudi King and US President Donald Trump on the cards.

The summit, expected to have the participation of more than 35 leaders of the Islamic world as well as secretary generals of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council, is also being attended by President Trump.

Trump arrived in Riyadh on Saturday — the first leg of his maiden international trip since taking office in January. He will be leaving for Israel on Monday, and will also visit Italy and Belgium.