Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss a possible deal between the two countries.
The Saudi state news agency reports that a meeting was held in the Saudi city of Dhahran.
It reviewed “the semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the two countries, which are almost being finalised,” a statement read.
Reuters reports that the discussions come in the wake of reports that Washington and Riyadh are close to an agreement for U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance.
The Saudi Crown Prince and U.S. President Joe Biden’s top security aide also discussed the need to find a “credible track for bringing about the two-state solution” for Israel and the Palestinians.
The also want to stop the war against Hamas militants in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, the statement said.
The White House said on Friday that Sullivan would visit Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss bilateral and regional matters, including Gaza and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
Last September, before Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, Prince Mohammed said in an interview with the U.S. network Fox News that “every day we get closer” to a deal to normalise ties with Israel.”
But those efforts have been severely damaged by the more than seven months of fighting in Gaza and the rising civilian death toll there.
The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Last week, the body of 22-year-old Shani Louk was recovered in Rafah, along with the bodies of two other Israeli hostages.
Her body had been paraded partially naked in the back of a pickup truck after the Hamas attack.
Around 250 Israeli’s were taken hostage in the Hamas invasion.
Just under half of those hostages were freed during a cease-fire in November.
Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 35,386 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data provided by the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Since the outbreak of the war, Saudi officials have said that relations with Israel are impossible without steps towards recognising a Palestinian state, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long opposed.
With regards to electricity generation, Saudi Arabia is seeking to generate substantial renewable energy and reduce emissions under an ambitious long-term plan.
Critics say Riyadh might want nuclear expertise in case it someday wishes to acquire nuclear weapons, despite safeguards enshrined in any deal with Washington to prevent this.
Saudi Arabia has been pushing forward with plans to make sure that electricity generation far exceeds its needs as part of its 2030 Vision.
Latest reports indicate the Kingdom is far ahead of schedule.
It has been building a mix of renewal energy sources to cater for numerous infrastructure projects.
