White House says Trump got Arab leaders' backing for Syria safe zones though no mention was made of president's 'extreme vetting' of Muslim immigrants during phone call
- President Trump speaks by phone with Saudi leader King Salman and crown prince of Abu Dhabi
- According to White House, Saudi king 'backs Trump's call for safe zone in Syria'
- Trump also said US would enforce Iran nuclear agreement
- Earlier Sunday, Trump spoke by phone with Australian PM Turnbull
President Donald Trump (above) conferred by telephone with world leaders on Sunday
President Donald Trump agreed with Arab leaders on Sunday to continue to enforce the Iranian nuclear agreement and to establish so-called 'safe zones' in Syria and Yemen, the White House said.
Trump spoke by telephone with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, though the White House did not say if the leaders discussed the president's controversial 'extreme vetting' measures against refugees from Muslim-majority countries, according to Politico.
Trump 'requested, and the [Saudi] king agreed to support, safe zones in Syria and Yemen, as well as supporting other ideas to help the many refugees who are displaced by the ongoing conflicts,' the White House said.
The two leaders also 'agreed on the importance of rigorously enforcing the [nuclear deal] with Iran and of addressing Iran's destabilizing regional activities.'
It was not immediately clear what mechanisms would be put in place to establish 'safe zones' in Syria.
Carving out safe havens in the civil war-torn Middle Eastern country would most likely require a massive deployment of US ground troops, something that the American public is largely against.
Trump opposed the nuclear agreement signed by Israel's arch-foe Iran and world powers, including the United States, in 2015 and has said he wants to undo it.
Some of his key nominees have adopted an openly anti-Iran stance, including secretary of state candidate Rex Tillerson, who is seeking a complete revision of the accord.
Trump spoke by telephone Sunday with Saudi Arabia's King Salman (left) and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that there were many ways of 'undoing' the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump.
But before he left office, former President Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasizing its 'significant and concrete results.'
The deal places curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
Tehran is a major foe of both Washington and Ryad. The Sunni majority Saudi kingdom is engaged in a power struggle with the Shiite country for dominance in the region.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump conversed by telephone with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left). On Saturday, Trump spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right)
Trump also spoke by telephone with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, committing to 'further strengthen cooperation on fighting radical Islamic terrorism,' the White House said.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump conversed by telephone with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The 25-minute conversation was their first since the billionaire's inauguration last weekend.
Despite Trump's hard-line stance on immigration, he told Turnbull that the US would honor a previous agreement with Canberra about resettling migrants.
Turnbull struck a 'one-off' deal with Obama in November to resettle refugees detained on Manus and Nauru in the US.
On Saturday, Trump spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The conversations gave the US president an early opportunity to explain new policies that have baffled and unnerved much of the rest of the world - particularly his order to temporarily halt all refugee arrivals.
Most watched News videos
- Terrifying moment tiger attacks man inside zoo enclosure in China
- Many Clouds dies after beating Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase
- Amazing!: Toddler climbs gate with incredible precision
- Serena Williams awkwardly neglects her fiancé after Aus Open win
- Roger and Mirka Federer share beautiful moment after Aus Open win
- 'Dog Guardian' demonstrates how to stop pets from being bad
- Shocking footage of road rage incident where young woman is punched
- Inauguration etiquette 101: Escort First Lady up White House steps
- Shocking moment helicopter crash filmed spinning out of control
- Beachgoers form human chain to help lifeguards rescue people drowning
- Karlie Kloss congratulates Serena Williams on winning Aus Open
- PM Thersea May holds President Trump's hand outside White House
-
Pictured: Former KGB general who helped MI6 spy compile...
-
Trump's immigration ban derailed: Federal court grants...
-
Mo Farah tells of 'relief' as US reveals Brits with dual...
-
'Let them eat cake': Ivanka Trump is criticized for...
-
First ladies first? Why didn't Trump wait for Melania at...
-
Wife and child look on in horror as tiger drags husband...
-
PIERS MORGAN: More Americans were killed last year by...
-
It's like a plot from one of his shows! Jeremy Kyle gets...
-
'This is not a Muslim ban!' Trump defends his 'extreme...
-
Trump's snub for the Green Prince: US President 'will...
-
Texas mosque is destroyed in blaze hours after Donald...
-
More than 800,000 sign petition to cancel Donald Trump's...