The United States has strong relations with Saudi Arabia in the war on terror, White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said Friday.
"We have very strong relations on counter terrorism measures," Perino said. "We have worked very closely with Saudi Arabia."
The spokeswoman made the remarks after the New York Times reported Friday that the Bush administration is deeply frustrated with Saudi Arabia over its role in Iraq.
Saudi officials regard Iraq's Shiite prime minister, Nuri al- Maliki, as an agent of Iran and U.S. officials believe the Saudis have offered financial support to Sunni group in Iraq, according to the newspaper.
Of an estimated 60 to 80 foreign fighters who enter Iraq each month, American military and intelligence officials say that nearly half are coming from Saudi Arabia and that the Saudis have not done enough to stem the flow, the report said.
U.S. officials have long resisted blaming Saudi Arabia for worsening sectarian strife in Iraq, choosing instead to pin blame on Iran and Syria. Even now, they rarely talk publicly about the role of Saudi fighters among the insurgents in Iraq, the reported noted.
Source: Xinhua
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