Saudi urges joint Arab strategy on Iran

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal called yesterday for a joint Arab strategy to deal with the "Iranian challenge" at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Egyptian capital. "In order to cement Arab reconciliation we need a common vision...

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal called yesterday for a joint Arab strategy to deal with the "Iranian challenge" at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Egyptian capital.

"In order to cement Arab reconciliation we need a common vision for issues that concern Arab security and deal with the Iranian challenge," including its nuclear drive, he said.

The relationship between Sunni-ruled Arab states in the Gulf, including oil kingpin Saudi Arabia, and Shiite Iran has long been strained amid concern about Teheran's nuclear programme.

At the UN General Assembly last year, the Saudi Prince urged Iran to comply with its nuclear obligations to spare the Middle East "devastating conflicts, futile arms races and serious environmental hazards."

The West fears Iran is secretly trying to build an atomic bomb but Tehran insists its nuclear drive is entirely peaceful and aimed at generating electricity for its growing population.

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