Iranian President Mohammad Khatami arrived in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Saturday for talks with Saudi leaders about the Iraq crisis.
Both Saudi Arabia and Iran share borders with Iraq, and the Gulf superpowers have opposed a U.S. military attackagainst Baghdad, saying it would destabilize the entire region.
Saudi officials and Iranian diplomats told Reuters Khatami, on his second visit to the kingdom, would discuss the crisis with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Abdullah.
The talks aim to reach "a unified Islamic position" on the Iraq crisis, a Jeddah-based Iranian diplomat was quoted as saying. The focus will be "what will happen to the region if the United States makes good on its threats against Iraq," he added. "They will also discuss bilateral ties."
On Thursday, Iranian Vice President Mohammadali Abtahi told Reuters the talks would focus on regional tensions: "Iran and Saudi Arabia are two great and important countries in the region, and their cooperation could help to solve the region's problems."
Saudi officials said Khatami's visit marked a step toward better ties.
Khatami arrived in the kingdom on Wednesday. He has visited the Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina and performed the minor pilgrimage or umra. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
