US president heads straight to royal palace for meetings with king and crown prince who hours earlier opened airspace to Israeli flights in 'big first step' to normal ties

After Biden meeting, Hulata says 'Israel will act as it sees fit,' and has done 'quite a lot in Iran over past year'; on potential peace with Saudi Arabia: Israel's 'working on it'

US president will be first to fly directly from Israel to kingdom, where he is slated to advance Israeli integration in region, address energy concerns

Airlines will no longer have to bypass kingdom on flights to and from Tel Aviv, while Muslims traveling from Israel will fly direct to hajj pilgrimage

White House says move result of months of diplomacy between Washington and Riyadh; president to speak on breakthrough later in the day

Announcement comes hours before Biden expected to fly to Jeddah to announce successful brokering of deal that will also see Egyptian islands transfered to Saudis

Riyadh only granted Palestinian leader a short phone call with king, amid reports Saudi Arabia would take steps toward normalization with Israel long opposed by Ramallah

Middle East diplomat confirms agreement is moving forward; will allow Israeli airlines to fly over Arab kingdom as well as direct flights from Israel for Muslim pilgrims

Approval would allow Muslim pilgrims to board direct flights from Tel Aviv for annual pilgrimage to Mecca; announcement may be made this week, CNN reports