Cheney to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday

Riyadh: US Vice-President Dick Cheney, who is on a 10-day tour of the Middle East, will arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday for an official visit.

Cheney, who is currently in Oman after making a surprise visit to Iraq, will hold wide ranging talks with Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. Their talks will revolve around regional issues such as Iran's nuclear programme, the Palestinian peace initiative, Iraq and Lebanon.

Cheney is also expected to push for an increase in oil output with Saudi Arabian officials as prices continue to reach record levels.