Pakistan and Saudi unite on terror

Prince Abdullah: Terrorists are enemies of Islam

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have vowed to defeat terrorism and push for peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

But the two countries say they will not send troops to Iraq unless they are asked to do so by the Iraqi people.

The developments came during a visit to Pakistan by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

At a banquet hosted by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, he said: "The killers and terrorists are enemies of Islam and they want to frustrate the entire Islamic enterprise of culture and civilisation.

No troops

"We will be able to render them ineffective, frustrate and fail their evil design."

President Musharraf added: "Religious extremism and militancy have risen because conflicts have been allowed to fester without a solution on the horizon."

He also called for just solutions to the Palestinian and Kashmir conflicts.

Later, the two countries' foreign ministers ruled out sending troops to Iraq without a specific request, which they have not yet received.

The Saudi prince's official visit is also aimed at boosting trade and economic ties between the two countries.