New Saudi heir, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, built the right Trump ties

Washington: The new heir to the Saudi throne has been cultivating ties to some of the most influential officials in Donald Trump's White House, already dining twice with the president's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, then the deputy crown prince, was one of the first foreign officials to visit Trump as president, joining him and aides for a March 14 luncheon at the White House.

Trump called the new crown prince on Wednesday to offer congratulations on his elevation, the White House said in a statement. Trump and the prince "committed to close cooperation to advance our shared goals of security, stability, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond," according to the statement.

During the 31-year-old prince's March visit, he also had dinner at the home of his generational contemporaries, the 36-year-old Kushner and his wife Ivanka. Kushner is one of the President's most trusted aides, and his many portfolios include the Middle East. Ivanka Trump also is an adviser to her father. The couple dined again with Prince Mohammed at his home during the President's visit to Saudi Arabia in May, a White House official said.

Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh last month.Credit: AP

The US president also spent time with the prince during his visit to Riyadh, said another administration official. The officials asked not to be identified discussing private meetings.

In the course of those conversations, the prince developed a good relationship with Kushner and Ivanka Trump as well as others in the Trump administration, according to the first official. Kushner was in the Middle East on Wednesday, holding separate meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leads in an attempt to restart peace talks.

Trump and his team see the prince as serious about pursuing economic and social reforms in Saudi Arabia, though they still aren't sure how far or at what pace he is able to proceed, the second official said.

"It's clear that his relationship is excellent with the White House," said Mohammed Khalid Alyahya, non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East.

Jared Kushner with his wife Ivanka Trump during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Credit: AP

"He was the point man on Trump coming to Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip. He has very strong relationships with the White House, as well as the State Department and the Department of Defence."

The White House didn't receive any advance notice from Saudi officials ahead of the prince's elevation, the second official said.

US President Donald Trump speaks with Mohammed bin Salman, then Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince and minister of defence, in the Oval Office in March.Credit: Getty Images

Western diplomats already referred to Prince Mohammed as "Mr Everything" because of his control over most aspects of domestic, foreign and defence affairs. His elevation to Crown Prince ends a behind-the-scenes struggle for power and answers what would happen to his plans for Saudi Arabia when King Salman, now 81, dies or steps aside.

His Vision 2030 seeks to recalibrate the kingdom's economy to end its near-total dependence on oil revenue. He also led a multi-nation effort to isolate neighbouring Qatar, causing a rift among fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi boys pose in front of a huge billboard showing in the centre, King Salman, with Mohammed bin Salman to the right, and the replaced Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, left, in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Credit: AP

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