U.S. President Donald Trump said the war on terrorism is not a fight between faiths but “a battle between good and evil.”
“This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations,” Trump told leaders of Arab and Muslim-dominated countries during a high-stakes speech on Sunday at a summit in Riyadh.
“This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil,” he said.
Trump also told Muslim leaders gathered in the Saudi capital that he was “not here to lecture” others about their faith and lifestyle.
Instead, the US seeks “to offer partnership – based on shared interests and values – to pursue a better future for us all.”
The Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh is the highlight of Trump’s two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the first stop on Trump’s inaugural multi-nation tour as president.
NAN reports that the U.S. and Gulf Arab countries agreed on Sunday to coordinate their efforts against the financing of terrorist groups.(dpa/NAN)