U.S. says Saudi Arabia, Iraq in dispute

The United States suggested on Monday Saudi Arabia support the Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki which has been struggling against the growing violence in the country.

Speaking to reporters, White House spokesman Tony Snow described the refusal of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to meet Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki ahead of a regional summit on Iraq security this week as a "dispute between the two nations."

"At this point that is a dispute between the two nations," said Snow.

"We think it's important for nations in the region to understand the importance of an Iraqi democracy that can stand up and also can stand as a bulwark against terrorism, which is a threat to all nations of the region whether they be Sunni, Shi'a or others," the spokesman said.

King Abdullah has turned down a request to meet with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Sunday.

Zebari, denying the reports that Abdullah had refused to receive Maliki, said "they (Saudi officials) did not decline it, but they said the king has an internal tour which he does every now and again. "

Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the United States in the Middle East, has been increasingly critical of the U.S.-backed Iraqi government. Last month King Abdullah said Iraq was under an " illegitimate foreign occupation," a charge the White House rejected.

Source: Xinhua