In other Middle East news, Saudi Arabia has signed a $2 billion arms deal with the United States, according to a U.S. diplomat. The deal includes a three-year contract worth $1.6 billion to maintain the Kingdom’s F-16 jet fighters and will employ 1,000 people, including 10 representing the American government. The deal also involves a project to modernize the Saudi National Guard. Saudi Arabia is the United States’ main ally in the Gulf region and is host to about 5,000 U.S. troops.