Iran President in Saudi for nuclear, regional talks

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday on his first official trip to the US ally for talks expected to cover the crises in Lebanon and Iraq, and Tehran's nuclear programme.

Saudi television showed a smiling Ahmadinejad, whose country could face tougher UN sanctions over its refusal to suspend its nuclear programme, being greeted by King Abdullah and Saudi officials at a red-carpet airport ceremony.

A Saudi official said the kingdom will seek Iran's help in easing sectarian tensions in Iraq to prevent a civil war. Riyadh will also try to convince Tehran to comply with UN resolutions seeking suspension of its uranium enrichment.

The United States and its regional allies, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, suspect Iran's nuclear energy programme aims to develop weapons, an accusation Tehran denies. US-allied Arab governments also fear Iran is gaining influence in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Iraq, where Sunni Muslim bastion Saudi Arabia blames Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias for sectarian killings.

Riyadh will also press Iran to exert pressure on Hezbollah, a Shi'ite group backed by Iran and Syria, to put an end to a political standoff in Lebanon, the Saudi official said.

Ahmadinejad was earlier quoted by Iran's IRNA news agency as saying: "In the meeting with King Abdullah, we will discuss those issues that should be carried out jointly in the Islamic world and also the region."

Iranian state radio said talks would also cover "Iran's nuclear case", adding Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and other senior officials were accompanying the president.