[25 March 2008] RIYADH, March 25 (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived on Tuesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh on an official visit to hold talks with Monarch of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Suad on means of strengthening brotherly ties and mutual cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

In a statement delivered upon his arrival, Saleh voiced his happiness to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, saying that it comes in the framework of the continuous consultation with the Saudi King.

"The visit is a chance to coordinate the two countries' attitudes towards the current developments in the region and the Arab nation's issues including in the agenda of the Arab summit to be convened after days in the Syrian capital Damascus", Saleh said, indicating to the challenges the nation faces, especially in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Somalia.

President Saleh said that the visit also a chance to brief King Abdullah on the results of Yemen's efforts for healing the Palestinian rift, which has led to sign the Sana'a Declaration to resume the dialogue between Fatah and Hamas movements.

He made reference to the seven articles of the initiative, saying that such efforts come to complement the benevolent efforts made by the brothers in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, the President expressed his satisfaction of the developing relations between Yemen and the Kingdom, reiterating his welcome to the Saudi investment to the country.

SA/AF



Saba