Blair seeks Saudi support for G8

Mr Blair praised Saudi efforts to reduce oil prices

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has asked for Saudi Arabia to back a Middle East peace initiative he will present to G8 leaders at their upcoming summit.

In talks with Crown Prince Abdullah during a flying visit to Riyadh, Mr Blair also praised Saudi efforts to reduce oil prices.

They also discussed aid for Africa and the situation in Iraq.

Mr Blair was en route to Singapore to lobby International Olympic Committee members on London's 2012 bid.

Living standards

He was seeking backing for a "package of support" he wants G8 leaders to extend to Palestinians ahead of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

He wanted to focus on raising Palestinian living standards, he said.

"We discussed the Middle East situation and I explained that we wanted to have an initiative at the G8 next week to help the Palestinian Authority in the wake of the disengagement," Mr Blair told reporters after the talks.

"Obviously the support of Saudi Arabia would be important for that," he added.

Israel's pullout, which is due to begin on 15 August, will see the removal of settlers from all 21 Gaza settlements, and four of 120 in the West Bank. It will keep control of Gaza's land and sea borders and its airspace.

Israel has occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip since capturing them in the 1967 war.

Settlement activity in these areas is considered illegal under international law, although Israel does not accept this.

Increased production

Mr Blair and the prince had also discussed the world economy and the "significant and important part" oil prices played, the British prime minister said.

What we've got to make sure is that we do our best to try to reduce the [oil] prices to a more acceptable level but it's being driven by high demand Tony Blair

"The Saudis have increased production and (are) doing what they can.

"What we've got to make sure is that we do our best to try to reduce the prices to a more acceptable level but it's being driven by high demand."

The prime minister's visit was his first to the Middle Eastern kingdom since 2001 and comes amid speculation about the country's future.

King Fahd, thought to be 82, suffered a debilitating stroke in 1995 and was hospitalised in May with pneumonia sparking speculation about the succession.

Crown Prince Abdullah has been running Saudi Arabia's day-to-day affairs since the King's stroke.