US President says Riyadh set to become global capital

U.S. President Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Riyadh has become the capital of topnotch technology in the world and will be a global capital in the upcoming period. "What I saw in terms of architectural brilliance in Saudi Arabia, I have not seen anywhere else in the world,” he added.

In his speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump said that Saudi Arabia is witnessing outstanding development and transformation under the leadership of King Salman and the Crown Prince. "Over the past eight years, the Kingdom has proven its critics wrong," he said.

Trump also said that it is remarkable that the majority of the Saudi economy has now outpaced its dependence on oil. He highlighted that Saudi Arabia is the US's largest economic partner, and that both nations are taking steps to strengthen their partnership, which he said will remain strong.

He stressed that he would never hesitate to defend Saudi Arabia or to assist its allies and friends.

"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a wonderful man, and I like him very much,” Trump said.

He noted that he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria to give it a great opportunity, upon a request from the Crown Prince.