Iran- Saudi summit: Khatami, Abdullah want diplomatic option on Iraq
Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 9/16/2002

The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami announced in conclusion of the second visit made by an Iranian President since the Islamic revolution in 1979 to Saudi Arabia, that Tehran and Riyadh "are standing side by side at the meantime when countries of the region and the Islamic world are exposed to a common danger," while the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah stressed the identical stances between the Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Both Iran and Saudi Arabia on Saturday vowed to work together for the stability in the region which faces the possibility of an attack led by the US against Iraq. Khatami who held talks with the Saudi crown prince concerning the Iraqi crisis said that "unity" among the countries of the region is the best way to solve the crisis.

The Iranian news agency quoted Khatami as saying "I think that Iran and Saudi Arabia are two important poles in the region and they are standing side by side at a time when countries of the region and the Islamic world are exposed to a common danger."

Saudi officials said that the visit of President Khatami constituted a step towards further improvement of relations between the two countries. Crown Prince Abdullah stressed the identical stances between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He was quoted by IRNA saying "I think what strikes Iran, strikes Saudi Arabia, and vice-a-versa."

According to the circles of the Iranian President, his talks with the Saudi crown prince dealt with the likely American attack against Iraq and they reviewed "the situation in the Gulf region especially in Iraq in light of the likely war as well as Saudi- Iranian cooperation, especially in the security field."

The Saudi news agency said that Khatami and Abdullah reviewed "developments taking place in the Middle East region especially the Palestinian question and the occupied territories and the sufferings of the Palestinians." The agency added that the two leaders discussed "implications and accelerated events in the region and the two countries's visions towards that." Khatami arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and performed al-Omra rituals. He left back home on Saturday evening.

Previous Stories:
  Khatami to meet with Saudi crown prince today in Jeddah   (9/14/2002)
  Khatami in Saudi Arabia to perform Omra rituals   (9/12/2002)
  Khatami visits Saudi Arabia today   (9/11/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search