RIYADH, June 11: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday agreed to closely work and cooperate in combating the menace of international terrorism.

The consensus was reached here at a meeting between President General Pervez Musharraf and Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz here at the Crown Prince Palace.

The one-hour meeting started soon after the president arrived on a day-long official visit to Saudi Arabia.

President Musharraf and Prince Abdullah agreed that the two brotherly countries must closely work and cooperate in combating terrorism which they termed a menace in the region.

Prince Abdullah described bilateral relations as “excellent, brotherly and solid.”

The president and the crown prince also discussed developments in the Middle East and the South Asia region.

The president briefed the crown prince about the latest developments in the Pakistan-India relations and the steps taken by Islamabad to defuse tension.

The president expressed condolence over the loss of lives in the recent terrorist attack in Riyadh.

KING FAHD: President Musharraf called on King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and exchanged views on regional and international issues, Syed Rashid Hussain adds from Riyadh.

The meeting at the King’s Palace was held in a cordial atmosphere and the two sides discussed bilateral and regional matters.

The president conveyed good wishes on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan to the king and the people of Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, the president was received at the airbase by Riyadh governor Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz and other princes.

Later, the crown prince received President Musharraf at his palace. The crown prince hosted a luncheon party in honour of the president.

President Musharraf was also reported to have briefed the Saudi leadership on the internal and external situation the country was facing. Political circles here feel the possible use of Saudi influence on the religious parties of Pakistan in resolving the LFO crisis might also have come under discussion. Later, the president left for Jeddah.