President Trump to Preside over Historic Arab-Israel Recognition Deals

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to preside over the signing of historic diplomatic deals between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations that could herald a dramatic shift in Middle East power dynamics.

The Tuesday ceremony at the White House is aimed at showcasing presidential statesmanship ahead of November's election. Trump will host more than 700 guests on the South Lawn to witness the sealing of the agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain.

The agreements will formalize the normalization of the Jewish state's already warming relations with the two countries — and may pave the way for a broader Arab-Israeli rapprochement after decades of enmity.

(Story written by Mathew Lee/AP)