Prince Nayef in Yemen: no need for arbitration

Saudi Minister of the Interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday started a visit to Yemen, during which he will convey to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh a message from King Fahd.

Yemeni Minister of the Interior Hussein Arab received the Saudi prince at Aden's airport. The message from the Saudi king deals with border disputes between the two countries, which since 1995 have held talks on joint border demarcation.

In an arrival statement to reporters, Prince Nayef said: "We believe the two countries do not need arbitration," noting that negotiations are underway.

Earlier and in telephone calls the Saudi crown prince made with the Yemeni President, Prince Nayef said that his country "does not oppose resorting to arbitration if Yemen wishes so."

A Yemeni official source said the visit of the Saudi minister of the interior is of special importance, noting that Prince Nayef is expected to carry with him new conceptions in the course of dialogue between the two countries' leaders to contain points of difference on border issues that are still pending between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.