Imran leaves for Riyadh to mitigate Iran-Saudi tensions

Islamabad, Oct 15 (IANS) Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as part of his initiative for peace and security in the region.Khan also visited Iran on Sunday and explained his initiative in meeting with Iranian leaders including Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, Xinhua reported.Tensions have heightened between Iran and Saudi Arabia since Houthis rebels launched attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14. Saudi Arabia and the US blamed Iran for the Yemeni rebels' attack, but the charge was rejected by Tehran.The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said bilateral ties and other regional developments would also form part of the discussions, a Foreign Ministry statement said.This is Khan's third visit to Saudi Arabia this year. His earlier visits were in May and September. From the Saudi side, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, paid a state visit to Pakistan in February."Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bound in a fraternal relationship marked by mutual trust and understanding, close cooperation, and an abiding tradition of supporting each other," the Foreign Ministry said.
--IANS vin/