Trump cuts short weekend, returns to White House

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US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday, as tensions rose in the Middle East.

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There was no explanation from the administration why Trump was no longer returning on Sunday from Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, as had been previously announced.

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However, it is not uncommon for White House travel to change on weekends, including for weather reasons. Forecasts showed rain and thunderstorms in the hilly Camp David area on Sunday.

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The change in plan came as the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Saturday that the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn, after a fire broke out near the Saudi capital’s international airport.

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The State Department and a string of US embassies issued security alerts to Americans.

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The alerts cited “the potential for unforeseen escalation” and noted that “Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports.”

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“This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly,” the State Department warning said. “Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region.”

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AFP

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