Syria dominates Egypt-Saudi talks

Mubarak recently visited Syria to discuss the issue of Lebanon

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is holding talks in Saudi Arabia, with the crisis surrounding Syria and Lebanon high on the agenda.

UN investigators have asked to question Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The UN has accused Syrian officials of involvement in the murder.

Mr Mubarak's talks with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah are also expected to take in Iraq and the Palestinians.

Diplomats said the Syrian issue would dominate the meeting, however.

Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close allies of the United States, which has been putting heavy pressure on Damascus to co-operate with the UN.

Mr Mubarak flew to see Mr Assad for talks on the issue two weeks ago.

Last week the former Syrian Vice-President Abdul-Halim Khaddam claimed in a television interview that Mr Assad had threatened Hariri several months before he was killed in a bombing in Beirut in February 2005.

Syria has denied any role in the assassination and says it is co-operating with the UN investigation.

In October the UN Security Council threatened further action against Syria - possibly including sanctions - if it did not co-operate fully.