RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s first trip abroad (all times local):
2:24 p.m.
President Donald Trump is receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor from Saudi King Salman.
The king placed the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud around Trump’s neck at a ceremony at the Royal Court in Riyadh.
The host of the event declared that Trump was being honored for “his quest to enhance security and stability in the region and around the world.”
The honor has also been bestowed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama.
Trump was joined by first lady Melania Trump and several senior White House aides who were interspersed with Saudi officials throughout a grand ballroom.
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1:53 p.m.
President Donald Trump is arriving for his official welcome to Saudi Arabia.
More than a dozen horses flanked the presidential limousine Saturday as Trump was slowly driven to the Royal Court in Riyadh.
Trumpets played and soldiers stood at attention as the president walked in. As he arrived, Trump told the king the spectacle was “very impressive.”
Trump, who landed from Washington hours earlier, was slated to attend a welcoming ceremony and a lunch with Saudi King Salman.
The two men were then expected to have a bilateral meeting.
Trump was joined by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
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1:05 p.m.
President Donald Trump is tweeting for the first time while abroad on his first foreign trip.
Trump’s account is delivering a diplomatic message. It says that it’s “Great to be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia” and says Trump is “Looking forward to the afternoon and evening ahead.”
The tweet was accompanied by several photos of the president’s arrival in the Middle East.
It’s his first stop on a busy, nine-day trip.
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12:20 p.m.
Melania Trump’s decision not to wear a headscarf upon arrival in the Middle East is drawing attention on social media.
The first lady wore a black pantsuit with a golden belt but did not cover her head, consistent with custom for female foreign dignitaries visiting Saudi Arabia.
President Donald Trump had criticized former first lady Michelle Obama for not wearing a head scarf during a January 2015 visit to the nation with then-President Barack Obama.
Trump said in a 2015 tweet that, while many people applauded Mrs. Obama’s decision, the people of Saudi Arabia “were insulted.”
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11:04 a.m.
President Donald Trump is preparing for a busy day of meetings in Saudi Arabia.
The president, first lady Melania Trump and top White House aides touched down Saturday morning in Riyadh. It’s the first stop of a nine-day, multi-country tour.
The president began his visit with a coffee ceremony with King Salman of Saudi Arabia.
He’ll participate later in an arrival ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court and a luncheon banquet, followed by a bilateral meeting with the king, a signing ceremony and a meeting with the Deputy Crown Prince.
Saturday night, he’ll attend a royal banquet at Murabba Palace followed by a tour of the National Museum.
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10:25 a.m.
President Donald Trump and King Salman of Saudi Arabia met briefly for a coffee ceremony after the president’s arrival Saturday in Riyadh.
Trump and Salman spoke through an interpreter inside the airport terminal after the president stepped off Air Force One.
Trump and his motorcade then made their way to his hotel for a few hours of downtime before beginning the day’s meetings.
The nation offered Trump an elaborate welcome. Billboards featuring the image of Trump and the king dotted the highways of Riyadh and lights bathed Trump’s luxury hotel in red, white and blue lights and, at times, an image of the president’s face.
First Lady Melania Trump wore a black pantsuit with a golden belt and did not cover her head, consistent with custom for foreign dignitaries visiting Saudi Arabia
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10:06 a.m.
President Donald Trump is stepping off Air Force One in Saudi Arabia to begin his first international trip since taking office.
Trump waved as he stood atop stairs that had been rolled to the side of the official presidential aircraft as it landed at Riyadh’s airport. He was joined by First Lady Melania Trump.
Trump was greeted by King Salman of Saudi Arabia. They exchanged a handshake and Trump said it was “a great honor” to be there.
Several jets also flew overhead leaving a red, white and blue trail.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told reporters on the plane that Trump spent the flight meeting with staff, working on his upcoming speech to the Muslim world and getting a little sleep.
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9:43 a.m.
President Donald Trump is opening his first trip abroad since taking office, touching down in Saudi Arabia after an overnight flight from Washington.
Trump’s visit is aimed at building stronger partnerships to combat terrorism in the region. He’s also hoping to move past the controversies engulfing his administration.
Trump flew to Riyadh overnight on Air Force One. He’s the only American president to make Saudi Arabia, or any majority Muslim country, his first stop overseas as president. The scheduling choice is designed in part to show respect to the region after months of harsh anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric.
Trump will also travel to Israel, have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and attend the NATO summit in Brussels and the Group of 7 meeting in Sicily.
