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Saudi FM to seek Pakistan's cooperation for anti-terror alliance

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir arrived here on Thursday for talks on anti-terror cooperation, officials said.

The Saudi foreign minister is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif during his day-long visit.

Diplomatic sources said that Jubeir will seek Pakistan's formal participation in a recently launched Saudi-led Islamic alliance against terrorism.

The kingdom announced the alliance last month and Saudi officials had stated that Pakistan is part of the grouping. However, officials in Islamabad insist the country will take a final decision to become part of the alliance after getting more details.

Sources said the Saudi foreign minister will explain objectives of the alliance and will formally request for Pakistan's joining it. He has planned to visit Islamabad earlier this week, but the visit was postponed at the request of the Saudi authorities, according to Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The visit came at a critical time amid the ongoing Saudi-Iran tensions that led to the breaking off of diplomatic ties between the two Muslim nations.

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the Iran-Saudi tensions and has urged both countries to resolve peacefully their differences.

The execution of a senior Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia over terrorism charges caused tensions between the two countries.

The Saudi foreign minister will hold official talks with Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz and both will speak at a joint press conference later. Endit