In Saudi Arabia, Trump Says Fight Against Terrorism A 'Battle Between Good And Evil'

The fight against terrorism is a "battle between good and evil," not a fight between "different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations," President Trump said Sunday in a widely-anticipated speech in Saudi Arabia.

This is Trump's first foreign trip as president, and he delivered the address to leaders of dozens of Arab and Muslim-majority nations. The Saudis said at least 37 leaders are present, NPR's Jane Arraf reported from Riyadh.

The speech focused on pushing the leaders to do their "fair share" and fulfill "their part of the burden" in the fight against extremists. It did not emphasize human rights.

Trump told the leaders that the U.S. is prepared to "stand by you," but "the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them."

"Drive them out," he told them. "Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land. And drive them out of this Earth."

Trump noted that Middle Eastern nations have sustained the highest number of casualties from terrorist attacks, describing it as a "tragedy of epic proportions." The region's "untapped potential ... is held at bay by bloodshed and terror," he said. "There can be no tolerating it."

Trump said that his administration is adopting a policy of "principled realism."

This speech is closely watched in the region, especially in light of Trump's attempt earlier this year to halt travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.