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US-Saudi defense deal with civil nuclear part nears conclusion, authorities says

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have actually reached a near final set of arrangements for a defense pact that consists of a civil nuclear part but obstacles stay for a more comprehensive regional deal that would stabilize relations between Israel and Riyadh, a senior U.S. official stated on Tuesday.

The official stated the bilateral deal was more or less complete, but cautioned that particular components, including a. trustworthy path to Palestinian statehood and steps on. stabilizing war-torn Gaza, still needed to be completed.

It is not done. Nobody here is going to say this is, you. understand, just right around the corner, the Biden administration. authorities said on condition of privacy.

The official briefed reporters following a Middle East visit. by White House nationwide security consultant Jake Sullivan, who held. talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The U.S.-Saudi agreement is meant as part of a Middle. East grand deal to reshape the unpredictable region that. President Joe Biden's administration is attempting to restore after. it was hindered by Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack on Israel. and the break out of war in Gaza.

Some specialists have called it a long shot due to the numerous. stumbling blocks.

Netanyahu's resistance to devoting to an eventual. Palestinian state, something the U.S. is promoting and the. Saudis have actually demanded, is a significant challenge.

U.S. and Saudi arbitrators are seeking to finish an accord. that would require formal U.S. assurances to protect the kingdom. in addition to Saudi access to more advanced U.S. weaponry, in. return for halting Chinese arms purchases and restricting. Beijing's investment in the nation, individuals familiar with the. matter have said.

We now have a near last set of arrangements, which will be. the bilateral aspects of this deal, the authorities said.

But any Saudi pact is most likely to deal with opposition in. Congress, where lots of legislators have knocked Riyadh for. intervention in Yemen, transfers to prop up oil rates and its function. in the 2018 killing of reporter Jamal Khashoggi.

The senior official stated on Tuesday that the deal would. include U.S. civilian nuclear cooperation for the Saudis. structured by nonproliferation professionals in a strenuous way.

Saudi Arabia, the world's greatest oil exporter, desires U.S. help and innovation to establish its own atomic energy. program.

Arbitrators have also been going over U.S. sales of advanced. F-35 fighter jets and other weapons to the Saudis as part of the. offer, a 2nd U.S. official said on Monday.

On Sullivan's meetings in Israel, the official stated Israeli. officials had included and were taking seriously much of. the concerns raised by the U.S. in preparing for the military. project in the refugee-packed city of Rafah in southern Gaza. However the authorities decreased to elaborate.

We're not here to sort of green-light Israeli military. operations, the authorities added. We're here to reveal. issues.

Biden has opposed a full-scale Israeli ground offensive in. Rafah since of the danger of additional heavy civilian casualties.

(source: Reuters)