Khatami in Saudi Arabia to perform Omra rituals

The Iranian President Muhammad Khatami started on Wednesday a visit to Saudi Arabia during which he will discuss with the Saudi officials the American threats to attack Iraq, and the situation in the Palestinian territories. Khatami will during this visit perform al-Omra rituals.

Following a meeting for the Iranian government, Khatami said that the aim of his visit is to perform al-Omra rituals and to visit the holy shrines, as well as meeting with the Saudi officials.

Khatami gave no details about the program of the visit and the nature of talks he will hold with the Saudi officials. He said "I am not accompanied by an official delegation. I will go with my family but I will meet with several officials there." The Iranian Vice President Muhammad Ali Abtahi said that the Saudi- Iranian talks will deal with regional tension despite the fact that the visit is not an official one.

Abtahi said that " Iran and Saudi Arabia are two big and important states in the region and their cooperation may help solve regional problems." A statement by the public relations department for the Iranian Presidency said that Khatami will conclude his visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday by meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

Sources close to the Iranian Presidency said that President Khatami's talks with the Saudi officials will concentrate on the Iraqi file, the Middle East question and the implications of the war launched by Washington against terrorism.