The Saudi Arabian government is questioning a $4 billion pledge it made to President Donald Trump to rebuild and stabilize sections of Syria that the U.S. military and its local allies have liberated from the Islamic State, The Washington Post reports.
Trump had believed the two nations had a deal after speaking to Saudi King Salman by phone in December, according to the newspaper.
The money would be used to prevent Syrian President Basha al-Assad from claiming certain areas and to stop the Islamic State from regrouping, the Post reported. The Saudi money also coupd speed up a U.S. departure from Syria, as well.
But now, the Saudis appear to be rethinking their pledge of the money, the newspaper noted. Word the Saudis are questioning the deal comes as Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday.
Representatives of the Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to the Post when asked about the $4 billion request from Trump. The U.S. already has planned to use some of the money to transfer 400 foreign Islamic State fighters detained during the battle in Syria to a facility with individual cells.
Meanwhile, the Post noted the U.S. is the largest humanitarian donor, providing $8 billion over the years in aid for those communities hit by fighting and or those driven into refugee camps.
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