Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has presented United States President Donald Trump with the kingdom’s top civilian honour as Trump began a trip to Riyadh aimed at strengthening security and economic ties.

King Salman decorated Trump with the gold King Abdulaziz medal on Saturday during a meeting at the royal court in the Saudi capital.

The two countries are expected to hold talks on regional security and defence.
Trump, on the first foreign visit of his presidency, has been plagued by controversy at home, largely connected to his dismissal of FBI director James Comey.

With delicate diplomatic meetings facing him, including three summits, Trump faces the challenge of advancing his “America First” agenda without alienating key allies.