JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia Jordan's King Abdallah II on Sunday described relations between his country and Saudi Arabia as "close and special" the official Saudi news agency SPA reported. The king, who arrived in Saudi Arabia at the start of a three-day official visit on Sunday, said his trip was "part of the permanent consultations" between the two countries, and its purpose was to thank the Saudis for their support "during difficult cirumstances." King Abdallah was welcomed by King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdallah ibn Abdel Aziz and Defense Minister Prince Sultan ibn Abdel Aziz, on his arrival in Jeddah airport, SPA said, indicating the importance attached to the visit.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Khatib told the Saudi newspaper Okaz on Sunday that the king's talks would focus on ways to strengthen bilateral political and economic ties and on the latest developments in the Middle East peace process, especially the future of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. (AFP)