United States President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster has said that the former made the decision to begin his first foreign trip in Saudi Arabia in order to deliver a message of peace and unity to the world.
"No president has ever visited the homelands and the holy sites of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths all on one trip," McMaster said.
Trump embarks on the historic trip next week, visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel and Vatican City in Rome before attending a NATO leaders meeting in Brussels and G-7 summit in Sicily.
"What President Trump is seeking is to unite people of all faiths around a common vision of peace, progress and prosperity. He will bring a message of tolerance and of hope to billions, including to millions of Americas who profess these faiths," McMaster added.
McMaster further stated that the President had three goals for the trip - "reaffirm America's global leadership; continue to build relationships with other leaders; and to "broadcast a message of unity to America's friends and to the faithful of three of the world's greatest religions."
The visit, including meeting with leaders from Muslim countries set up by the Saudi king, is being seen as an answer to Trump's critics who have accused him of being anti-Muslim.