PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make a three-day working visit to Saudi Arabia beginning May 20 to participate in the Arab-Islamic-US Summit at the invitation of King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the summit, scheduled for May 21, was being convened at the initiative of Saudi Arabia and coincided with the state visit of United States President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia.

“The Minister of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia and special envoy to King Salman Abdulaziz, Dr Awwad Saleh Al-Awwad, extended the invitation during his visit and courtesy call on the Prime Minister in Putrajaya on May 11,” it said.

The ministry said Najib would be accompanied by Defence Minister and Minister with Special Functions in the Prime Minister“s Department Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Minister in the Prime Minister“s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, as well as senior government officials.

In addition to attending the summit, Najib was also scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Global Centre for Combating Extremist Ideology at Mu“tamarat, Nasiriyah in Riyadh, it said.

“Malaysia is expected to play a major role in the development of the centre.

“This is a recognition not only by Saudi Arabia but the wider world of the active and important role that Malaysia plays in the global effort to combat terrorism,” it added.

The ministry said that on the final day of the visit, Najib was expected to have an audience with King Salman Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammad Naif Al-Saud and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al-Saud.

“These meetings will provide the opportunity for both sides to discuss bilateral and regional issues of common interest,” it added.

Malaysia and Saudi Arabia were working closely to promote peace, stability and security in the Islamic world and beyond, it said.

The ministry said Najib“s visit to Saudi Arabia would enhance these efforts as well as further strengthen bilateral relations. – BERNAMA