Gilani to start Saudi visit

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will pay a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia from today for talks with the Saudi leadership on further strengthening comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.

This will be Gilani's first visit to Saudi Arabia after the new coalition government took power in the country around two months ago.

The prime minister will hold wide-ranging talks with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

"The two countries enjoy special relations, rooted in common faith, mutual trust and abiding interest in each other's security, stability and wellbeing of the people," the spokesman said.