Iranian president to visit Saudi Arabia

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Riyadh on Saturday for talks with King Abdullah, during which the two leaders will discuss regional issues, including bloodshed in Iraq, the Lebanon crisis and Tehran's current nuclear disputes with the West.

Saudi analysts saw Ahmadinejad's visit as a sign of the two countries trying to understand their differences and easing tensions in the region at a time when Tehran is under heavy pressure from Western countries over its nuclear activities.

Analysts believe Ahmadinejad's visit aims to get support from the Middle East power on its alleged civilian use of nuclear energy, while Saudi Arabia is keen to avoid a U.S.-Iran military showdown, which would destabilize the entire region.

Source: Xinhua