Saudis question Middle East talks

Prince Saud said the US had failed to provide an agenda for the talks

Saudi Arabia has said that a US-backed Middle East peace conference will be pointless unless it tackles key issues and sets a timetable for a final deal.

The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said a failure to do so would result in endless negotiations.

The prince also cast serious doubt on whether his country, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, would attend the talks later this year.

His comments echo doubts recently expressed by other regional leaders.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Sunday that the talks were doomed to failure without proper preparations or a clear agenda.

Last week Arab foreign ministers demanded that the conference work toward a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians rather than simply be a diplomatic show.

Saudi participation 'doubtful'

Speaking at a news conference in Jeddah, Prince Saud said his country had become concerned after Washington failed to provide an agenda for the talks, which are expected to be held in November.

"If this conference does not tackle the key issues - Jerusalem, the borders, the Palestinians and other issues that were clearly stated in the Arab peace initiative - then it will be pointless," he said.

If the conference does not have a timetable we will enter into endless negotiations Prince Saud al-Faisal Saudi Foreign Minister

"If the conference doesn't provide these things, then the kingdom's participation is doubtful."

Prince Saud also said the conference should have a specific timetable for the implementation of any deal.

"If the conference does not have a timetable we will enter into endless negotiations, and this is what Arab countries don't want to get into," he added.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders have held a series of talks in the past few weeks to prepare for the meeting.

On Tuesday, officials from both sides said they had agreed to set up negotiating teams to discuss some of the issues in dispute between them.