(WASHINGTON, DC) – Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the Arab Islamic American Summit, held today in Riyadh, was an important step in building an effective partnership to combat terrorism, promote positive dialogue and counter Iran.

Minister Al-Jubeir praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance at the summit and his efforts to promote dialogue between the U.S. and Muslim-majority countries. He reiterated President Trump’s message that the fight against terrorism is one of good versus evil.

“The President deserves a lot of credit for taking this step, making his first visit outside the U.S. to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and land of the Two Holy Mosques, and then going to Israel and then going to the Vatican to deal with the Jewish world and with the Christian world in order to try to bring the three religions together,” said Minister Al-Jubeir.

Both leaders stressed the importance of productive understanding, tolerance, and dialogue among nations and different religions.

“I believe that the fact that this summit took place is historic. I cannot overemphasize the importance of it to the history of the world,” said Minister Al-Jubeir. “Unless we are able to move from notions of a clash of civilizations and move towards a partnership among civilizations, we will not be able to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.”

Minister Al-Jubeir argued that Iran must end its meddling in international affairs and its expansionist behavior.