Saudi Arabia abandons bid for US defence treaty as it toughens position on Palestine: Report

Saudi Arabia has abandoned its call for a defence treaty with the US in return for normalising relations with Israel, according to a Reuters report on Friday.

Riyadh gave up its demand after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took a more ironclad position on the creation of a Palestinian state in exchange for normalising ties with Israel. 

The kingdom had previously said it would need to see a public commitment from Israel towards a Palestinian state. It has now called for the concrete creation of a state. 

Now, Saudi Arabia and the US are discussing expanding joint military exercises and drills rather than a defence pact.