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President Bush arrives in Saudi Arabia for talks

16/05/2008

US president George Bush has arrived in Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at developing Arab support for action against Iran and curbing record oil prices.

King Abdullah met Mr Bush and his wife Laura at King Khaled airport around 11:00 BST today.

A White House statement released earlier today declared that the US has agreed to help protect Saudi Arabian resources and assist in developing its nuclear energy.

"The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed to co-operate in safeguarding the kingdom's energy resources by protecting key infrastructure, enhancing Saudi border security, and meeting [its] expanding energy needs," the statement said.

"The US and Saudi Arabia will sign a memorandum of understanding in the area of peaceful civil nuclear energy co-operation."

Mr Bush has spent the last three days in Israel where he vowed to oppose Iran's nuclear plans and reaffirmed his belief that a peace deal between Israel and the Palestine territory could be agreed before he left office.

Dana Perino, the White House spokeswoman, told reporters that the president would also talk with King Abdullah about oil supplies.

"We do count on the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to keep adequate [oil] supplies out there, so the president will talk again with the king about that."