Rice arrives in Bahrain for talks on Iraq and Middle East peace

Manama: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Bahrain on Sunday for talks with counterparts from Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the six GCC states.

Rice is to discuss the situation in Iraq, the Middle East peace process, Lebanon and other regional issues during Monday's meeting in the capital, Manama.

The US has long urged Sunni Arab states to reinforce embassies in Baghdad as a sign of support for the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.

Iraq's Sunni Arab neighbours, notably Saudi Arabia, have resisted US pressure to open embassies in Baghdad, which Washington argues would bolster Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's Shiite-led government and help counter the influence of neighbouring Iran.

Rice said on Sunday, "As to when missions will open, it is a good step that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have said they are going to do it. I hope they will do it relatively soon."